“I Play Rocky” Review

How do you evaluate a film like “I Play Rocky”? With its underdog story, depiction of movie-making magic, and earnest sentimentality, this is the kind of movie destined to be a crowd-pleasing success. I can’t deny I had fun watching the drama unfold, and yet, how much of this success is due to the film itself, and how much is due to the fact that I’ve seen and loved “Rocky”? 

“I Play Rocky” tells the remarkable true story of Sylvester Stallone’s against-all-odds quest to make “Rocky.” We open with Stallone, going by the name of Mike, auditioning for a generic goon role in New York, enunciating lines in a way that proves more comical than menacing to his audience. 

Struggling to find any work, Stallone takes to selling his personal belongings, sleeping on the street, and starring in some soft-core pornography. When he meets his soon-to-be wife Sasha, while working at a movie theater, she gives him the piece of advice that will drive him to Los Angeles: if nobody will give you a part, write yourself the part of your dreams.

After watching a nobody heavyweight fighter take on Muhammad Ali, and seeing how everybody in the bar rallied around this unlikely contender, Stallone rushes home to write what would become “Rocky.” He finds some producers interested in making the picture, but Stallone is stubborn. It’s not enough to get the movie made, it’s not enough to get the writing credit and a handsome paycheck. He is Rocky, and if he doesn’t star, he won’t make the movie.

The first half of “I Play Rocky” is spent capturing the unglamorous struggle of Stallone’s life as a starving artist, spotlighting his blue collar roots and personal quirks that would go on to show up in “Rocky.” The second half of the movie is about actually bringing the film to life: hiring a cheap director, finding a committed cast, and shooting fast and furious in Philadelphia to save money. Much of this action is meant to capture the independent streak of its characters and world, but where “Rocky” was gritty, subdued and naturalistic, “I Play Rocky” is comparatively too polished, its characters neutered and its hints at darker subject matter, be it an abusive childhood or potential studio sabotage, sanitized to the point of feeling false.

Anthony Ippolito delivers an incredible, uncanny performance as Sylvester Stallone such that midway through the movie it was easy to forget I was watching another actor and not just young Sly. He perfectly captures Stallone’s distinct speech patterns, mannerisms, physicality and soulfulness, matching Stallone’s uncommon blend of action-hero size and poetic depth. 

Tracy Letts shines the most from the supporting parts, as the firecracker head of MGM who has zero belief in a boxing movie, let alone one starring an unknown actor. As the producers who choose to believe in Stallone, Toby Kebbell and P.J. Byrne add comedic flourishes throughout the chaotic production.

Ultimately, I enjoyed “I Play Rocky” which is perhaps unsurprising since I like “Rocky” and this film goes so far to repurpose scenes from that classic film to the same effect as if needling the audience, asking “isn’t “Rocky” great?” Yes, of course it’s great. But “Rocky” is a beautiful sports drama with humane themes and universal messages that resonate all on their own, without needing to be justified or over-explained. Confidence in its story made “Rocky” a timeless masterpiece, and the lack of confidence here makes “I Play Rocky” a frustrating, if entertaining, trifle.

“I Play Rocky” Directed by Peter Farrelly. Written by Peter Gamble. Starring Anthony Ippolito, AnnaSophia Robb, Toby Kebbell, P.J. Byrne, Stephan James, Jay Duplass, Robert Morgan, Tracy Letts and Matt Dillon. Running Time: 128 Minutes. Genres: Biography, Comedy, Drama, Sport. Rated PG-13 for strong language, brief sexual material and smoking.