330. Rocky; movie review

 

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ROCKY

Cert 12A

121 mins

BBFC advice: Contains moderate violence, mouthed strong language, domestic abuse

How appropriate - the weekend in which Pennsylvania handed the presidency to the understated Joe Biden, I took in all six films of Philadephia's greatest underdog.

Yep, just as Donald Trump was suffering a knockout blow, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) was striking out at Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers).

Make no mistake, the original Rocky is an excellent movie.

Stallone fits the title role hand in glove - not really a surprise because he wrote the role - his last shot at trying to make it in the film industry.

The original Rocky was directed by John G. Avildsen and he seizes the detail of the down-at-heel life of working-class Philly

Of course, everyone would agree that this is a boxing film at heart but it is also a social commentary, romance and a slice of comedy.

I hadn't previously appreciated how tenderly Stallone plays the hero before the blistering battle with Creed in the ring.

His courtship of Adrian (Talia Shire) is gentle and his handling of her naysaying brother (Burt Young) is easygoing despite his buttons being continually pressed.

There is also his rescue of a local girl from falling into gang culture and his insistnce on being blessed from curiously Italian-only-speaking priest.

Oh, and the is also his adoration of animals, from his turtles to the pet shop dog (Stallone's real-life hound).

Holding it all together is the uplifting soundtrack which is especially potent during the famous training scenes, including Rocky's run up the Museum of Art steps and leap into the air.

And then there are the boxing scenes.

It is easy to forget that they were groundbreaking in their day. The greatest compliment which can be paid is that thirty-four years they still look fresh.

All add up to a truly great movie which laid the ground for so many more.

Reasons to watch: one of the great battles-against-adversity films

Reasons to avoid: A little stilted in places

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 9.5/10

Did you know? It was advertised before filming that all spectators who would fill in for ringside audience members at the Los Angeles Sports Arena would be treated to a free chicken dinner and could watch the shooting of the Creed/Balboa fight. Four thousand people showed up at suppertime

The final word. Sylvester Stallone: “Early in my acting career I realised the only way I would ever prove myself was to create my own role in my own script. On my 29th birthday, I had $106 in the bank. My best birthday present was a sudden revelation that I had to write the kind of screenplay that I personally enjoyed seeing. I relished stories of heroism, great love, dignity, and courage, dramas of people rising above their stations, taking life by the throat and not letting go until they succeeded.” Total Rocky

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