Jake La Motta Character Analysis

From the beginning of life each and every action has had a reaction. Jake La Motta is no exception to that. The middleweight boxer runs around town with his brother and manager, Joey. In the beginning of the film Jake meets Vicki, and starts to pursue the fifteen year old. Soon they marry and Jake’s boxing career resumes but is eventually suspended on the allegation of throwing a fight. However, after Jake is reinstated he finally wins the middleweight championship. Jakes life afterward seemed to slowly plummet. He lands himself in jail and finds himself alone even after getting out. However, it began to look up because of his popular comedy career. Jake’s life was filled with sin, scandal, lies, cheating, abuse, jealousy, but also, redemption.
Perhaps because he is the only one to ever challenge him. Throughout the film, Jake treats joey better than anyone else but not good by any means. This can be seen when Jake asks for him to hit him in the face and blatantly insisted it didn’t hurt in order to prove his dominance over his brother. It is seen again when he asks if his brother is making it with his wife. Once more when Vicki pleads for Jake to call his brother and apologize. On the phone he listens to his brother speak but says nothing before hanging up the phone. The passive aggressiveness shown to his brother should depict how he is treated by others. However, those who come across La Motta treat him kindly and without the jealousy and abusive like he shows others. Once again he receives the title, wealth, and a career after boxing.
In the film Raging Bull, Jake La Motta commits sin after sin, but comes out on top every time. Destroying everyone in his path, including those he “loved” Jake built his legacy on the blood, sweat, and tears of those he crushed. The film presented the theme of sin and redemption through the relationship he had with the women in his life, his boxing career, and the relationship he had with his