Rocky is a beloved film that has stood the test of time, resonating for moviegoers for more than 50 years. The film launched Sylvester Stallone into movie stardom as one of the great action stars of all-time. It wasn’t always easy sledding for him however as he famously had a tough time before his big break. A new film chronicles his journey to fame.
I Play Rocky plants us in the early 70s life of Stallone (Anthony Ippolito), then an aspiring actor who encounters countless rejected auditions and bouts of homelessness as he struggles to make it in movies. In an effort to get on the big screen, Stallone writes a screenplay for himself and shops it to executives Robert Chartoff (Toby Kebbell) and Irwin Winkler (P.J. Byrne). One of the scripts he sneaks into their office pile is the screenplay for a boxing movie called Rocky which he refuses to sell to the pair unless he is allowed to star as the title character. The three of them must now stand their ground against studio head Sandy Maddox (Tracy Letts) to get the film completed.
It has become a constant refrain in this site’s reviews that the telltale sign of a good film that is based on a true story is its ability to create investment and tension when the audience is already aware of what the end result of the story will be. I Play Rocky manages to hit the mark right on target in this regard. The story of Rocky being the feature film debut as both a writer and actor for Stallone is well known as is its meteoric success. Yet and still, seeing the aspiring young actor onscreen struggling to be recognized and make it creates an emotional investment through every obstacle he encounters and setback that arises, despite knowing he’ll make his way through. Much of this can be credited to the performance of Ippolito who fully captures Stallone both in spirit and appearance. The young actor absolutely nails the now iconic speech impediment of the screen legend, past being just an impression and becoming a total embodiment of his vocals. It plays an integral role in audience immersion which helps to cultivate the investment outlined above. Ippolito displays the belief in oneself, the moments of stress and doubt, and the happiness in achievement that the journey towards one’s dream entails.
And this is ultimately what is at the heart of I Play Rocky, the power of believing in your dreams and being willing to take any gamble in order to achieve them. Stallone takes the chance of Chartoff and Winkler passing on his script due to his insistence on playing the lead role, but his desire to become an actor made it worth the potential sacrifice. As he and Sasha struggle to make ends meet, Stallone remains determined to see things through his way despite the temptation presented to receive life changing money if he’d just sacrifice the one thing he wanted most. It’s a message that says that accomplishing great things often takes a bit of momentary pain for long-term satisfaction.
This point is accentuated with the role that the production duo play in gambling on Stallone just as much as he gambles on himself. Chartoff and Winkler go to bat for Stallone’s demand to star in the film, despite numerous nos from their boss Sandy. The duo frequently risk their own reputations, finances, and even one time their physical well-being in a confrontation with a NYC union rep in order to shepherd a film they believed in. Kebbell and Byrne offer quality, sometimes comedic, performances that drive home the point that ever dreamer needs others at key moments that believe in them as much as they believe in themselves.
I Play Rocky is a crowd pleaser that hits all the right notes in stirring up an audience. Moments of humor, emotion, frustration, and nostalgia all combine to create investment in a new vantage point revisiting a classic. Anthony Ippolito transforms into the legendary Sylvester Stallone, capturing his look, sound, and perseverance that got Rocky off the ground. Toby Kebbell, P.J. Byrne, and Stephan James’ funny turn as Carl Weathers compliment Ippolito in supporting roles perfectly. For those intimately familiar with the story of Rocky’s journey to the big screen and Oscar history, I Play Rocky could be a plain retelling of history they already know, but for those new to the story or huge fans of Stallone or the series, they’ll find themselves entertained and enthralled. The film reminds you of classic moments in the original that you’ll never forget and what it’s like to dream.
Image: Amazon MGM Studios
