Synopsis:
When an underdog boxer (Sylvester Stallone) in Philadelphia is given an opportunity to fight against a champion (Carl Weathers), he receives support from his new girlfriend (Talia Shire), Shire’s surly brother (Burt Young), and an aging local trainer (Burgess Meredith).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Boxing
• Burgess Meredith Films
• Sylvester Stallone Films
• Talia Shire Films
• Underdog

Response to Peary’s Review:
As Peary writes, “This disarming little sleeper” — “written by its unknown star Sylvester Stallone” — “smashed box-office records, won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director (John G. Avildsen), made Stallone into an instant superstar, and gave the disenfranchised of America a new folk hero.”

He notes that while “we’ve overdosed on sequels” — Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982), and Rocky IV (1985) are all discussed in GFTFF — this original film “still holds up well and is guaranteed to produce cheers and tears” given that it shows an America in which “miracles do happen.” In describing the film’s first “Miracle,” Peary writes that Rocky’s courtship with “pretty but supershy Adrian (Talia Shire)” is “as touching as Paul Newman and Pier Angeli’s in Somebody Up There Likes Me” given that “they manage to build up each other’s self-respect, and soon they both realize that they aren’t losers.”

The second “Miracle” occurs when Rocky is “offered a shot at the heavyweight title” by an “overconfident champ” and “decides to go for it.” Although nobody up until then has given him a chance, he demonstrates that by training and simply showing up, he can “become a hero to everyone who wants to rise above loser status.”

I’m about to critically revisit all the Rocky sequels (and will hold nothing back in my thoughts on them), but will concede for now that this original entry remains authentically heartwarming and contains many special, memorable moments — including Rocky chatting awkwardly with Adrian at the local pet store:

… Rocky and Adrian ice-skating in an empty rink on Thanksgiving while their high-cost ten minutes are counting down:

… Rocky wandering with Young through the aisles of a meat processing plant which will soon turn into a ready-made gym:

… and Rocky beginning his running regime along the streets of Philadelphia.

It’s well worth a revisit, and deserves its status as an underdog breakthrough film for Stallone.

Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:

• Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa
  
• Fine supporting performances
  
• James Crabe’s cinematography
  
  
• Excellent use of authentic Philadelphia locales
  
• Bill Conti’s score

Must See?
Yes, as an Oscar-winning classic.

Categories

• Genuine Classic
• Oscar Winner or Nominee

(Listed in 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die)

Links:

• IMDb entry
• NY Times Original Review
• Q Network Review
• TCM Articles