I watched this movie several years ago, trying to round out my 70s filmmaker knowledge. I didn't like it then, and watching it again hasn't helped. I think there's a lot that's very well done here. The fight scenes are unique, I think, and show a lot of artistry. I love the sound design and I think the cinematography is really pretty.
However, I just don't see the point. There are plenty of movies full of characters I do not relate to and do not like. But I need to have a reason to watch them, and the movie fails to provide me with one. LaMotta is just sad, and we're not given much to go on in terms of why he is what he is. Clearly De Niro saw something in this story that spoke to him, but it doesn't come through for me. The starkness of the characters combined with the artiness of the photography just combines to make a movie that feels like it's trying to impress you with how good it is. I almost feel like they're saying, "hey, Rocky was trite and popular, let's see the real version." Which concept I'm okay with, despite liking Rocky a lot. But it doesn't come through here in a way that I think adds much new, aside from the pretty images. And without a context I can get behind, that doesn't amount to much.
I just don't care about anyone in it, and that makes the artistry empty. I don't know why it's here, frankly.
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However, I just don't see the point. There are plenty of movies full of characters I do not relate to and do not like. But I need to have a reason to watch them, and the movie fails to provide me with one. LaMotta is just sad, and we're not given much to go on in terms of why he is what he is. Clearly De Niro saw something in this story that spoke to him, but it doesn't come through for me. The starkness of the characters combined with the artiness of the photography just combines to make a movie that feels like it's trying to impress you with how good it is. I almost feel like they're saying, "hey, Rocky was trite and popular, let's see the real version." Which concept I'm okay with, despite liking Rocky a lot. But it doesn't come through here in a way that I think adds much new, aside from the pretty images. And without a context I can get behind, that doesn't amount to much.
I just don't care about anyone in it, and that makes the artistry empty. I don't know why it's here, frankly.