Raging Bull Film Synopsis

A Bronx boxer rises from obscurity to become a world champion, but his jealousy, violence, and self-destruction shatter his family and career. Estranged from his brother and abandoned by his wife, he spirals into disgrace, prison, and eventual obscurity, left only with memories of what he once was.

Early Career and First Defeat

In 1941, Jake LaMotta, a young middleweight boxer from the Bronx, enters the ring to prove himself as a serious contender. His aggressive style earns him recognition, but he suffers his first loss to Jimmy Reeves after a controversial decision. The defeat weighs heavily on Jake, who feels cheated by the ruling. His younger brother and manager, Joey, discusses a potential title shot with local Mafia connections, specifically Salvy Batts. Despite their offers, Jake refuses any help from organized crime, insisting that he will earn the championship on his own terms.

Outside the ring, Jake’s personal life is complicated. At a Bronx swimming pool, he notices a 15-year-old neighborhood girl named Vickie. Already married, Jake begins pursuing her regardless of the impropriety and her youth. Their flirtation grows into a relationship, foreshadowing trouble in his future.

Rising Fights and Early Marriage

In 1943, Jake squares off against the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson. He defeats Robinson in their first encounter, but when they fight again just three weeks later, Jake dominates the match yet still loses on points. Joey believes Robinson’s pending Army enlistment swayed the judges, convincing them to grant Robinson a victory as a gesture of goodwill.

By 1945, Jake divorces his first wife and marries Vickie. Their union, however, is marred by his controlling and paranoid behavior. He constantly suspects her of being interested in other men, and his jealousy grows increasingly intense. That same year, Jake demolishes his opponent Tony Janiro in the ring, pummeling him mercilessly in front of local mob boss Tommy Como, Salvy Batts, and Vickie. Afterward, at the Copacabana nightclub, Joey notices Vickie approaching Salvy’s table and speaking with him. Vickie implies she is unhappy in her marriage, a statement that Joey interprets as a possible affair. Consumed by anger, Joey violently attacks Salvy in front of the club before the fight spills out onto the street.

The Dive

The altercation forces Tommy Como to intervene. He demands Joey and Salvy settle their differences but makes clear that Jake must make amends if he wants a shot at the title, which Como controls. The mob arranges for Jake to take a dive against Billy Fox. Though reluctant, Jake reluctantly complies. During the 1947 match, he barely throws punches and suffers an intentional loss. The crowd, sensing foul play, boos him out of the arena. Soon after, the boxing board suspends him on suspicion of fixing the fight.

After a period of disgrace, Jake is reinstated. In 1949, he fights French champion Marcel Cerdan for the middleweight title. Displaying his trademark aggression, Jake wins the match, finally becoming middleweight champion of the world.

Jealousy and Paranoia

Success only amplifies Jake’s insecurities. In 1950, he grows increasingly suspicious that Vickie is unfaithful. He directly questions Joey, asking if he has slept with her. Joey reacts angrily and storms out, offended by Jake’s accusation. Later, Jake confronts Vickie and demands the truth. In frustration, she sarcastically claims that she has slept with Joey, Salvy, and Tommy Como. Her cutting remark pushes Jake into a jealous rage. He storms to Joey’s house, drags him outside in front of his wife Lenora and children, and brutally beats him. Returning home, Jake then strikes Vickie, knocking her unconscious.

When Vickie awakens, she threatens to leave him. After a heated confrontation, the two reconcile, but the damage to Jake’s relationships remains severe. That same year, Jake successfully defends his title against Laurent Dauthuille in a grueling 15-round fight. Afterward, he attempts to call Joey in an effort to make amends. However, Joey assumes the caller is Salvy and begins cursing into the phone. Jake remains silent and hangs up, leaving their estrangement unresolved.

Decline in the Ring

The fractured relationship with Joey marks a turning point in Jake’s career. In 1951, he faces Sugar Ray Robinson for the final time. The brutal fight ends with Jake losing his title after a relentless beating. The defeat signals the decline of his boxing dominance.

By 1956, Jake has retired. Overweight and distant from his athletic prime, he relocates to Miami with Vickie and their children. He opens a nightclub and spends nights entertaining guests, drinking, and neglecting his family. His marriage deteriorates further. After one long night out, Vickie announces she wants a divorce and full custody of their children. She also threatens to call the police if he tries to approach her again.

Arrest and Imprisonment

Jake’s downfall accelerates when authorities arrest him for allowing underage girls into his nightclub. Facing charges, he attempts to bribe officials with jewels from his championship belt. In desperation, he even tries to pry the gems out of the belt himself, damaging it beyond repair. His efforts fail, and in 1957, Jake is sentenced to jail.

In his cell, he breaks down emotionally. Pounding the walls and sobbing, he laments his ruined career, broken family, and estranged relationships. He cries out in despair, wondering how his life has spiraled so far from the glory of his championship days.

Attempted Reconciliation

After his release, Jake returns to New York in 1958. One day, he encounters Joey on the street. Long estranged since the violent assault years earlier, Jake embraces his brother forcefully. Joey reluctantly returns the hug, though the reconciliation is muted and incomplete. The bond between them remains scarred.

Later Years

By 1964, Jake has settled into a different kind of life. No longer a fighter, he performs stand-up comedy routines and spoken monologues in small clubs. Backstage before his shows, he prepares himself by shadowboxing and reciting lines from On the Waterfront. He practices the famous monologue in which the character laments not becoming a contender. Looking in the mirror, Jake repeats to himself, “I’m the boss,” reinforcing his fragile sense of identity.

The film closes with Jake ready to step onto the stage, a man defined by his triumphs and failures, haunted by his past yet continuing to perform in whatever way he can.