The original Rocky will always hold a special place in my heart, not only because it was one of my mother’s favorite films but because I have always viewed it as the ultimate Hollywood underdog story. Growing up, I heard countless stories about actors living out of their cars or struggling for years before finally getting their big break, but something about Stallone’s journey hit differently. He went from having nothing to achieving his dreams because he pushed back and refused to give up on playing the role that he knew he was destined to play.
Stallone’s journey is inspiring, and Rocky’s extraordinary success only made it more special. The film has been universally beloved for five decades, and regardless of whether one likes it or not, it is hard to deny that it’s one of the greatest Hollywood stories ever told.
When I attended CinemaCon earlier this year, I saw the trailer for I Play Rocky for the first time. I remember hearing the enthusiastic response from the crowd, although, let’s be honest, that doesn’t necessarily mean much at CinemaCon, where audiences tend to react positively to almost everything. Even knowing that from years of experience, I had a feeling in my gut that I Play Rocky would be one of those films where the excitement surrounding the trailer would ultimately match the reaction from audiences once they saw the finished project.
Needless to say, I walked into the world premiere of I Play Rocky at the Toronto International Film Festival with incredibly high expectations and apparently so did almost everyone around me. From the moment the film began, you could feel the energy in the room, and just as my gut had suggested at CinemaCon, I Play Rocky played like gangbusters.
The audience broke into applause several times throughout the film. It has been a long time since I have felt a crowd that genuinely “into the movie” while watching a movie. Sure, I have attended plenty of premieres where one big moment makes the audience erupt into applause, but that happened repeatedly during this screening. That kind of reaction is incredibly rare, but it speaks to how effective this movie is.
What director Peter Farrelly and screenwriter Peter Gamble have created here is truly remarkable. I know some cynics will try to downplay the film’s achievements because it is sentimental and designed to make audiences cheer. But I Play Rocky understands exactly what kind of movie it wants to be and achieves it pretty much perfectly.
The film is essentially two movies rolled into one: a biopic about Sylvester Stallone and a behind-the-scenes look of how Rocky was made. It is filled to the brim with humor and heart. The performances across the board are impeccable. Most importantly, it reminds us not only of Stallone’s rise to fame but of the importance of following your dreams and staying true to yourself. As much as I normally hate when people use this phrase, I Play Rocky genuinely feels like the movie we need right now.
If you had told teenage Scott that the director of Dumb and Dumber would eventually win the Academy Award for Best Picture and then make a film like I Play Rocky, I never would have believed you. That isn’t because I didn’t love the Farrelly brothers’ movies, because I absolutely did. I was a huge fan of many of them and believe several have become some of the most beloved and iconic comedies of all time. Yet, seeing Peter Farrelly become such a versatile filmmaker and create something this brilliant was never on my bingo card.
The reason I Play Rocky is so damn effective ultimately comes down to its pacing and how confidently the story is told. The film wastes no time throwing us into Stallone’s life before he became Sly. He is down on his luck, living on the streets of New York, struggling and starving. Desperate to make a quick buck, he turns to starring in an adult film. Rather than defeating him, however, that experience only inspires him to keep pushing forward.
The movie moves. It doesn’t stop to deliver some huge, elaborate backstory explaining why Stallone is living on the streets. Instead, those details are carefully woven into the larger narrative. We are given glimpses of his childhood and gradually begin to understand what shaped him, what drives him, and why he refuses to take no for an answer.
Every relationship depicted in the film is pivotal to Stallone’s story. The first major relationship we see unfold is with his future wife, Sasha Czack, played brilliantly by AnnaSophia Robb. In many ways, Sasha is the linchpin of his ultimate success. She takes a chance on him, encourages him to write, helps type his screenplays, and offers constructive feedback.
But the film doesn’t ignore how much the two of them struggle. They can barely pay their rent and have no idea what their future holds. Yet unlike so many biopics, I Play Rocky doesn’t spend much of its runtime focused on the doom and gloom. These challenges are presented as obstacles they must overcome, but are not there to manipulate the audience.
Stallone’s relationships with producers Irwin Winkler, played by P.J. Byrne, and Robert Chartoff, played by Toby Kebbell, are equally important. Both men have a soft spot for Stallone and recognize his potential, even when they don’t believe he should play Rocky. The scenes in which they repeatedly tell Stallone that he cannot star in the movie, and then keep increasing the amount of money they are willing to pay him to walk away, are among the film’s funniest moments. The sharply written dialogue is terrific, but it is the actors’ reactions and impeccable comic timing that make these exchanges so hilarious.
Other key relationships are introduced throughout the story. Some provide humor, while others give the film its emotional weight, but they all fit together seamlessly. There isn’t a single character who feels unnecessary or shoehorned into the movie. Everyone serves a purpose, and every relationship pushes Stallone and the story forward.
That brings me to Anthony Ippolito, who completely embodies Sylvester Stallone. He captures everything from Stallone’s voice and physicality to the determination, insecurity, and vulnerability that made him who he is. This never feels like a cheap impersonation. Ippolito disappears into the role while still finding the human being underneath the familiar mannerisms. It is easily the most memorable breakthrough performance of the year.
Tracy Letts is an absolute scene-stealer, but my God, there isn’t a weak performance in the bunch. AnnaSophia Robb, P.J. Byrne, Toby Kebbell, Matt Dillon, Stephan James, Jay Duplass, and the rest of the cast all bring something memorable to the film. This is a phenomenal ensemble, and the chemistry between these actors truly makes story come alive.
The film is wonderfully written and directed, with so much heart and such genuine affection for the industry and the dreamers who refuse to give up on themselves. Farrelly never treats Stallone’s determination as a comedic punchline, nor does he shy away from showcasing how stubborn and difficult that determination makes him.
As someone who grew up watching the Rocky movies on repeat with my mom, this movie reminded me why I fell in love with movies in the first place. It brought me back to those childhood memories. I Play Rocky is the best film I have seen so far this year. It is an irresistible retelling of one of Hollywood’s most iconic underdog stories destined to follow in Rocky’s footsteps. I absolutely loved it.
Grade: 9/10
Awards Buzz: I Play Rocky is a surefire awards contender. Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, and several other categories should absolutely be in play. As for SAG Cast Ensemble, this feels like a shoo-in.
