MovieChat Forums > Raging Bull (1980) Discussion > some questions about Jake and Vicky

some questions about Jake and Vicky

posted 12 years ago by patsfan12
4 replies | jump to latest

I've seen this films several times and I have my own theories on it but I'm wondering what other people think, because I might be wrong, who knows.

1. Later on in the film when Jake is in his club "Jake LaMotta's" he kisses two underage girls and says whoever can kiss like that is allowed in my club or something along those lines. But in the previous scene he's at the pool with Vicky and their kids and explains that he's done with boxing and loves that he can spend time with his kids and wife, who he says his beautiful and how lucky he his to have her. So why would he then make out with those girls? Its contrary to what he previously said/felt. Up until that point he was paranoid about Vicky and convinced that she was cheating on him, but now the tables have turned and he's the one who's acting disloyal and like a jerk. Was this just part of is deterioration of his beliefs, feelings, as a person, etc?

2. During that pool scene that I just mentioned above where Vicky and Jake move to Miami, Vicky seems happy to be with Jake and her kids because she's smiling and all that. Then when Jake stays the night at his club, he goes outside and Vicky tells him that she's getting a divorce. Not only that, but that she's already spoken to her lawyer and she's taking custody of the children. I understand why she would do that because Jake isn't a nice person/husband, especially because he physically abused her, but why didn't she tell him this earlier? Why did she put on this act, for instant during that pool scene, like she was happy and everything's alright, when she was really talking to her lawyer to get a divorce? Was it because she was scared if she mentioned it Jake would hit her or something? That makes sense but I don't know for sure. It all seems deceptive and mischievous. So why did she do that and keep it a secret?

You are neither cold nor hot, so because you are lukewarm I will spew you out of my mouth.

[–] drxcreatures 11 years ago

Nice Thoughts. She might have been faking her happiness and also we don't know how long he had been parading with young girls, while she stayed at home.

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[–] fylmphony 11 years ago

One thing you are leaving out is that when LaMotta stops boxing he starts drinking. He may not have been as physically abusive to Vicky, but if he stopped beating her, it only served as trading that vice for others. Rewatch the pool scene and look at how Jake cuts her off as she is speaking. There is a lot of sublimated hostility in that gesture. Living with a wifebeater would be hell, but living with a drunk is hell too.

[–] OroVerde 11 years ago

Up until that point he was paranoid about Vicky and convinced that she was cheating on him, but now the tables have turned and he's the one who's acting disloyal and like a jerk.

Yes but he always acted like a jerk. Think back to his first wife, he cheated on her with Vickie and probably some other girls too that weren't mentioned. He was a sexist scumbag from the very beginning. He was paranoid because he wanted 100% control over his wife which is something he couldn't have.

Why did she put on this act, for instant during that pool scene, like she was happy and everything's alright, when she was really talking to her lawyer to get a divorce?

She didn't look happy to me, her smiles seemed fake. If she told the press how she really felt about the marriage Jake would beat her up. It's hinted the last time they talk to each other, that Vickie has tried to leave several times already before she finally does.

[–] the_departed94 11 years ago

1. Because jake is an unreliable narrator, we can't trust what he says and shouldn't be taken litterally..

2. People change their minds when trying to deal with someone so *beep* up