A young filmmaker, Carl Shimkin, in the process of working through his father's death (first by trying to re-fight his battles then by trying to replace the father figure he lost) meets Jake LaMotta through his mother (a lifetime cabaret singer).  He is soon enlisted by Jake and his 7th wife Denise Baker, to play the role of interviewer in an ill conceived cabaret show called “Lady and the Champ.”

Jake and Carl grow close through performing together and later Carl's chaotic attempts to film a documentary about Jake before he dies.  A father/son bond develops.  For both Carl and Jake, the relationship comes naturally.  Jake himself having lost both his sons in the same year 1998; one to cancer in his arms, and the other from a plane crash of a Swiss air flight while on his way to a business meeting about LaMotta’s Tomato Sauce.

The cabaret show, “Lady and the Champ,” serves as a narrative backbone for this film.  Segments of the show will be cut between the story of Jake’s life as well as that of the relationship between Jake and Carl.

Through “interview” questions posed in “Lady and the Champ,” the following points are addressed:

  • Throwing the Billy Fox fight to get a shot at the title.
  • His close friendship with the other great Italian middleweight champ Rocky Graziano.
  • His epic 6 fights with the greatest fighter that ever lived Sugar Ray Robinson.
  • His winning the title finally from Marcel Cerdan.
  • His great comeback against Laurent Dauthuille to retain his title.
  • His 6 wives.
  • What it was like to train DeNiro as a boxer and how good was he?
  • What it takes to be a Champ?

The following topics will also be addressed through Carl’s filmed footage and interviews with Jake, his family, friends, and other important figures:

  • The story of his rise from street brawler during the depression to first man to beat Sugar Ray Robinson.
  • His relationship with his father, Vicki, his kids and the death of his two sons in 1998. Vicki was his wife during his reign as champion and mother of 3 of his children.
  • His role in revealing the existence of the mafia and the control they exhibited over boxing as the first witness called in the Kefauver Hearings
  • Going to jail and being part of a chain gang for allowing prostitution in his club "Jake's Place"
  • His book Raging Bull written with Pete Savage and Joseph Carter
  • His rebirth with the film Raging Bull and the back story.
  • His life in cabaret.
  • His relationship with his children
  • The reunion between Jake and his brother and former manager Joey after years of a fractured relationship
  • Raging Bull II
  • Sued by MGM
  • Raging Bull goes to the Supreme Court
  • His relationship with Carl

Over the next year “Lady and the Champ,” continues getting panned by the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and other reputable news outlets. Jake and his brother Joey are brought back together for a heart to heart for first time in almost 20 years.  Carl reviews Jakes legendary life trying to draw parallels and look for the lessons and guidance he sorely seeks.

Jake and Denise go all in by optioning Raging Bull II rights- get sued by MGM and eventually allow Raging Bull II producers to name it Bronx Bull, which was the original name of the documentary.  Carl tries to get Jake to trademark his moniker before it is taken from him.  For Carl the battle hits home as he had just fought this battle on behalf of his father Arthur, who was the founder of Little Golden Records and sole owner of the masters that make up the catalog.  Arthur was among the founders and driving forces behind Disney Records, Bell Records (predecessor to Arista) and Sesame Street Records.

In the end Denise butts heads with Carl and wants him to stop filming and hand over his footage to her so another filmmaker can come in and finish film.

Carl refuses, and goes into deep depression when faced finally with the realization that his father really is never coming back and cannot be replaced.

Jake remains Jake, redeemed by his humanity and honesty even if not always pleasant. Carl transforms painfully by finishing film in his OWN voice revealing his many ugly vulnerabilities.