Rocky

There is a certain amount of life imitating art when it comes to talking about the first Rocky film. Written by Sylvester Stallone with the clear idea he would star in it, the movie was eventually greenlit by United Artists begrudgingly agreeing to let Stallone star with the proviso they make it on a smaller budget. This little film would wind up winning three Oscars, including Best Picture, and catapult Stallone into super-stardom, as well as launch a film franchise that is about to release it's seventh installment (although tragically it's not called Rocky VII: Adrian's Revenge no matter how badly me and my fellow Simpsons fans wanted that to happen).

Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone), a bit of a loner, socially awkward and gets by fighting the odd boxing match and working as an enforcer for a local loan shark. He spends time around his Philadelphia neighborhood with his friend Paulie (played by Burt Young). He has his eyes on Paulie's shy sister Adrian (played by Talia Shire) who works at the local pet store. Much of the rest of the neighborhood thinks he's a bit of a bum. Meanwhile, World Heavyweight Champion Apollo Creed (played by Carl Weathers) has announced he plans to hold a fight in Philadelphia as part of the Bi-Centennial. However, with five weeks before the fight, he is informed his scheduled opponent is injured and a replacement needs to be found. He decides spice things up and give a local contender a chance. He settles on Rocky, liking his moniker of "The Italian Stallion" and figuring he will be an easy fight. Rocky is surprised by the offer and accepts. Local trainer Mickey Goldmill (played by Burgess Meredith) offers to train him, which Rocky accepts. Using whatever he can to get in shape, either punching meat carcasses at Paulie's work, climbing the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art or using old bricks in the place of hand weights. As the fight approaches, Rocky starts to get nervous, but is determined to go the distance with Apollo to prove himself to everyone.

There is something about this movie that I just can't help but love it and I think a lot of that centers around the main character. Stallone has taken a lot of heat over the years over his acting talent (or as some claim, lack thereof), but he crafts a character that is so unabashedly lovable. Yeah, he's a bit of a slob and a definite underdog, but beyond that beats a heart of gold and you just can't help but root for the guy. Talia Shire likewise gave a good performance that had an arc similar to Rocky's, as their relationship deepens, she comes more and more out of her shell, culminating in a powerful scene when she finally stands up to her alcoholic brother Paulie, who lives with her and takes advantage of her. Burgess Meredith likewise gives a great performance as the surly trainer Mickey who isn't afraid to tell it like it is, such as an early scene when he tells Rocky he's wasting his potential. I also have to single out Bill Conti's epic and iconic score for the film. All these years later, it's still being heard. Most recently it was used in a Best Buy commercial and all that accomplished was making me want to watch Rocky again, hence here we are.

Overall, Rocky laid the groundwork for a series of films that are still going today with the soon to be released Creed. While it is a fantastic film in it's own right, did it deserve the Best Picture award? On a ballot that includes All the President's Men, Network, and Taxi Driver, even I have my doubts. But I kind of like that it did. It has a certain odd symmetry with the film itself. The underdog rising to the challenge and taking the prize.