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Wow, an actual unpopular opinion, upvote for you
I saw it once bored the hell out of me >

Raging Bull is based on Jake Lamotta’s autobiography. >

That’s why I said I’m sure it can be called a great character portrait. Doesn’t make me dislike the movie any less. >

I think the reason that it’s often rated toward the top of “best movies” lists is because the source material is a brutally honest autobiography by a man who was idolized in his community. The film was made by one of the greatest directors of all time in Scorsese and the part was played by one of the great actors of his generation in DeNiro. 
It is Lamotta’s story itself that weighs the film down. When Lamotta wrote his story, his “flaws” if being an angry and abusive husband were considered far more forgivable than they are today. The movie hits differently now than it did upon release over 40 years ago. >

That’s a good point. Might have thought very differently if I was older or italian american.