Few real-life rags to riches stories in cinema history are as inspiring as Sylvester Stallone’s extraordinary efforts to get Rocky made. His inspiration for the germ of the screenplay and, importantly, his dogged insistence on playing the lead role are well documented. It is astounding, then, that it has taken 50 years for that story to receive its own big-screen treatment. Perhaps the tale has almost turned into movie folk lore that nobody felt the need to revisit it until now.
A key part of the fun lies in figuring out how much of what we see actually happened. Much of it appears almost too unbelievable to be true. One cannot help but wonder how different cinema history might have been if Stallone had allowed someone else to play Rocky. Rather than stand firm with his now-famous declaration: “I Play Rocky.”
Director Peter Farrelly keeps his comic sensibilities largely in check and maintains the more prestige approach he has adopted since Green Book. Thankfully, he gets the tone right here. The picture avoids excessive sentimentality, although it has its share of emotional moments.
The familiar beats of the story are all here, at times giving the narrative the feel of an updated Wikipedia entry on the making of Rocky. Still, there is something amusing about how neatly the real-life events lend themselves to a textbook three-act structure. It is almost as if the story wrote itself.
Sylvester Stallone ranks among the most imitated actors in cinema, which makes portraying him particularly tricky. Anthony Ippolito’s performance is more an imitation of Stallone than a complete embodiment of him, but he gets much of it right. Despite the performance almost being straight up mimicry, there is no denying he has given it his all.
He captures the gravelly voice and characteristic awkwardness. Farrelly seems less interested in recreating Stallone’s entire persona than in bringing out his innocence. Ippolito conveys the image of a somewhat naïve teddy bear who is far more intelligent and determined than people give him credit for.
Although the details about Stallone’s first wife Sasha Czack are scarce, AnnaSophia Robb deserves credit for bringing her to life. While the character does fall into the familiar supporting-wife role, she gets enough material to make her mark. Robb underscores Czack’s importance in Stallone’s life, particularly during his struggling years.
Tracy Letts has become something of a specialist in authoritative roles, and he does what he does best here. It is entertaining to watch him play off P. J. Byrne and Toby Kebbell as producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff. Their contributions to bringing Rocky to life are just as important to its legacy as Stallone’s own efforts. The three actors make for a solid combination, particularly during the negotiation scenes with Ippolito. These exchanges are among the more entertaining moments in the picture.
Cinematographer Sean Porter draws on visual techniques associated with the era to give the production an authentic period look. Alongside Farrelly and production designer Anthony Gasparro, they also do a convincing job in recreating 1970s New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. It is gratifying to see the picture revisit some of Rocky’s most iconic moments. Like the legendary training montage and the unforgettable run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. These sequences are a nostalgic treat for fans and serve as a reminder of how deeply embedded the original is in popular culture.
For fans of movie trivia and cinema history, I Play Rocky should be an absolute delight. However, its appeal extends beyond those familiar with the story of the making of Rocky. The original is such an inspiring underdog tale that the real-life struggles behind its creation make for a rewarding experience in their own right. This is hardly groundbreaking cinema, and the ending feels rather abrupt. Yet the experience is both uplifting and a sheer delight. More than anything, it might just inspire someone to put pen to paper and create their own Rocky.
