A.J. Liebling, praised as the greatest boxing writer of all time, doesn’t disappoint. The Sweet Science is an incredible book, illustrating not only boxing, but life and society of the 50’s in the U.S.
This was a time for many great boxers, including Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore, Joey Maxim, Rocky Marciano, and Joe Louis. Liebling not only covered all of these boxers with depth and character, but he did so in a humorous light, satirizing the boxers and even the fans of the time. Though no Oscar Wilde, Liebling brought his own style of pugnacious wit in The Sweet Science.
I could never claim to be a die-hard fan of boxing, or even a casual viewer. Even so, someone as historically blind to the world of boxing as me could enjoy the richness and value of the lives and stories covered in Liebling’s writing. The ‘Brown Bomber,’ a name for the great Joe Louis whose name I actually did recognize, had one of the most intimate and passionate stories. The gradual decline of his career painted a wrenching portrait of the struggle that comes greatest to a fighter: the great mind maelstrom.
Touching a plethora of human emotions, and utilizing them beautifully to weave the stories of each of these fighters, Liebling earned his title for boxing storytelling.
The 1980 boxing film, by Martin Scorsese, features Robert De Niro as a self-destructive boxer whose biggest fight ends up being with himself — one that he ultimately loses.
Based on the real life story of Jake LaMotta, a famous boxer in the 40’s, this movie closely parallels the anger and fear that drove LaMotta from superstar to prison life. Though his lack of self-esteem serves as an impetus to his boxing career, it was also the double-edged sword that destroys his life outside the ring.
Watching De Niro throughout the movie, its apparent how much was vested into taking on the role of LaMotta. From the beginning of the film to the end, De Niro himself gained around 100 pounds, which visually leaves a remarkable feeling of disgust and pity for the character. Being able to see him out of shape and at a loss in life leaves the viewer with an ending far from a fairy-tale.
With an angle that gives the audience a look at LaMotta’s personal life, without actually giving away any of his actual thoughts, Raging Bull is able to show a unique story. While its not exactly clear what is going through his head, LaMotta’s actions — especially with his wife Vickie — tell a story that would never be visible from the ring, from an interview, or even from one of those video biography stories.
The life of an athlete doesn’t always follow what they achieve in their sport, and Raging Bull is a prime example of just how different an athlete can be outside of the spotlight. The tragedy and pitiful nature Jake LaMotta met in life becomes an incredible experience in film.
In the moments leading up to the film’s end, and even after, I couldn’t help but wonder about any number of other athletes in history — in any sport — that have gone through such a struggle of life. Could there have been, or will there ever be a man or woman whose story could have such a passionate impact on me? Probably, but it might have to take another Scorsese monumental effort to prove it.
