Sometimes a movie tries very hard to elicit a reaction, and succeeds due to its skillful execution. This is precisely the case with I Play Rocky, a film that centers on the origins of Sylvester Stallone and the creation of the iconic boxing film.
The movie's premise is bold: Amazon MGM seeks to leverage the Rocky franchise by presenting an origin story for the original 1976 film. It emphasizes the personal nature of Stallone's writing and draws parallels between his struggle to get the movie made and the underdog narrative of Rocky Balboa himself. While this approach may seem shameless, it proves remarkably effective.
Anthony Ippolito stars as Stallone in the early 1970s, an aspiring actor facing constant rejection due to his looks and speech impediment. His girlfriend, Sasha (AnnaSophia Robb), encourages him to write screenplays, leading to the creation of Rocky after securing a meeting with producers Irwin Winkler (P.J. Byrne) and Robert Chartoff (Toby Kebbell). The film's first half effectively chronicles Stallone's early relationship with Sasha, their financial hardships, and his determination to break into acting through his writing. Ippolito delivers a compelling performance, capturing Stallone's essence without mere imitation, portraying his intelligence, drive, and unwavering self-belief.
Robb complements Ippolito with a likable and feisty portrayal of Sasha, convincingly depicting their bond and her faith in his potential. Her performance shines, particularly in a scene where she witnesses the verbally and physically abusive household Stallone grew up in.
The narrative then shifts to the excitement surrounding the Rocky script and the studio's willingness to produce it. A major hurdle arises when Stallone refuses to sell unless he also stars in the film. This conflict provides ample comedic moments as veteran Hollywood executives like Winkler and studio head Sandy Maddox (Tracy Letts) grapple with Stallone's unyielding stance.
Directed by Peter Farrelly, I Play Rocky stands out as his strongest work since his collaboration with his brother Bobby. While Farrelly's previous directorial efforts have been met with mixed success, I Play Rocky offers a genuinely engaging, heartfelt, and witty experience, reminiscent of the comedies he and his brother were known for.
The latter half of the film, focusing on the production of Rocky, is less cohesive than the first. It touches upon production challenges, including Stallone's injuries and attempts to film with a non-union crew. The handling of supporting characters like Carl Weathers (played by Stephan James) is peculiar, with a significant introduction followed by his near-disappearance from the production scenes. Key cast members like Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith, and Burt Young are introduced without prior context, which feels particularly odd given Stallone's fight to retain crucial scenes involving Rocky and Adrian.
Despite these narrative choices, the film showcases well-executed sequences of the fast-paced production, highlighting director John G. Avildsen's (Jay Duplass) work and the innovative use of Garrett Brown's steadicam. Ippolito delivers a standout performance in a scene that mirrors Stallone's own iconic acting moments, imbuing it with deeper personal meaning.
I Play Rocky concludes somewhat abruptly, and like any biopic, it streamlines and alters real-life events. However, even its nostalgic portrayal carries a melancholic undertone, acknowledging Stallone's later divorce from Sasha and his public disputes over the Rocky rights. Ultimately, the film offers a fond look back, allowing audiences to root for the ambitious young Stallone and those who helped him achieve his goals.
In essence, I Play Rocky positions Stallone as a real-life underdog striving for success. Much like the film it depicts, I Play Rocky is a crowd-pleaser with charm and wit, anchored by strong performances from Ippolito and Robb, even if its most compelling moments occur before the cameras start rolling on Rocky itself.