'I Play Rocky' review: Stallone's saga is inspirational in itself
The article reviews 'I Play Rocky,' a film directed by Peter Farrelly about the creation of the original 'Rocky' movie and Sylvester Stallone's struggle to star in his own script. It praises Anthony Ippolito's performance while noting the film's mythologized take on Stallone's life.
Why it matters
Biographical films about iconic cinema moments provide insight into the creative process and the history of Hollywood.
If you're a certain age — say, the generation most excited by the prospect of a "Rocky" origin story — you probably have spent a good few decades watching people imitate Sylvester Stallone. You might be able to pull it off yourself. Start with the gravely voice that rumbles and mumbles, make your eyes as heavy-lidded as possible, add a swaggering shoulder roll and then just brood, baby, brood. Anthony Ippolito has the moves down pat in "I Play Rocky," Peter Farrelly's endearing crowd-pleaser, an underdog story about making the underdog movie that went on to win the Oscar for best picture in 1977. The title comes from Stallone's repeated insistence that he portray the working-class fighter in the film that he wrote for himself.
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