MovieChat Forums > Raging Bull (1980) Discussion > Anti-Rocky?

Anti-Rocky?

posted 8 years ago by cooler56
4 replies | jump to latest

Could this movie been seen as the Anti-Rocky? We see a Boxer slowly being cut down and dehumanized on screen. His identity becomes faded and his relationships strained. He lost the things he worked so hard for in his life. His brother, his wife, his career, all thrown away. Is it his anger? Or is he misunderstood? He doesn't know who he is anymore. It is a very stark contrast with the uplifting message in Rocky. Scorsese is known for his "unhappy" endings and nihilist themes. I think this movie was carefully constructed in a way for the audience to pity the protagonist, to see him as the anti-hero.

[–] creatorof2002 8 years ago

I totally disliked him and he deserved to be an unhappy loser at the end. The guy was NOT a good person he was NOT a likable person he was a piece of *beep*

Rocky Balboa though not perfect was an honorable and heroic character who did NOT beat up Paulie and did NOT beat up Adrian and did NOT end up as a fat drunk loser.

I have infinitely more respect for Rocky than the piece of trash in this movie.

[–] scorsese-1 8 years ago

You are not understanding the point of the film.He finds redemption at the end, he is not a loser he is self destructive. He thinks he deserves the punishment for his transgressions (sins). He finaly accepts himself when reciting the On the Waterfront scene in the mirror. A towering achievement by Marty both visually and as a character study.

[–] jfurness4 8 years ago

Definitely,one lifts you sky high the other takes you rock bottom

[–] fede_4488 8 years ago

Yes, which is why mainstream audiences prefer Rocky. Not to take away anything from Stallone and the movie. But the criticism to RB is blinded by their love of a nice, inspiring character like Rocky