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Rocky (1976) https://letterboxd.com/smudgeefc1985/film/rocky/
I really shouldnt like this. Despite being a sport fan, I generally dislike sports films, as no matter how the game ends, it feels contrived when it's scripted. Sport creates it's own drama and stories, no matter how improbable and it happens over and over again, but stick it in a script, and it's manufactured drama. Stallone is also at best hilarious for all the wrong reasons as an actor.
But...it works. I cant explain why, but it does. Characters are my big love in any film, give me a mundane story, but great characters and Ill go along with it. Rocky and his story is obviously the centrepiece of the film, but he is surrounded by characters with just as much depth as he has. Everyone feels real, and from the heart. Adrian in particular I love, very few films Ive ever seen that absolutely nail the shy girl, but dammit this did. That whole feeling of knowing you want to go and do something but being scared of the consequences...never seen it done on screen better. And that of course is Rocky's development too. He is a loser, with nothing to lose from getting in the ring with the Heavyweight Champion of the World, Apollo Creed. Another excellent character who is actually quite charming and likeable instead of being just a unbeatable cartoon villain.
But this is Rocky's one chance to stop losing. Did this film invent the sports montage? And the sporting underdog story? It has certainly defined both, only the Karate Kid comes close. And while that had You're the Best, which really takes some beating, the music throughout this film,not just that iconic theme, is absolutely brilliant. It kicks in with all the right feelings at all the right moments. The story itself is uplifting enough, but that music just pulls it up another notch. A winner.
I really shouldnt like this. Despite being a sport fan, I generally dislike sports films, as no matter how the game ends, it feels contrived when it's scripted. Sport creates it's own drama and stories, no matter how improbable and it happens over and over again, but stick it in a script, and it's manufactured drama. Stallone is also at best hilarious for all the wrong reasons as an actor.
But...it works. I cant explain why, but it does. Characters are my big love in any film, give me a mundane story, but great characters and Ill go along with it. Rocky and his story is obviously the centrepiece of the film, but he is surrounded by characters with just as much depth as he has. Everyone feels real, and from the heart. Adrian in particular I love, very few films Ive ever seen that absolutely nail the shy girl, but dammit this did. That whole feeling of knowing you want to go and do something but being scared of the consequences...never seen it done on screen better. And that of course is Rocky's development too. He is a loser, with nothing to lose from getting in the ring with the Heavyweight Champion of the World, Apollo Creed. Another excellent character who is actually quite charming and likeable instead of being just a unbeatable cartoon villain.
But this is Rocky's one chance to stop losing. Did this film invent the sports montage? And the sporting underdog story? It has certainly defined both, only the Karate Kid comes close. And while that had You're the Best, which really takes some beating, the music throughout this film,not just that iconic theme, is absolutely brilliant. It kicks in with all the right feelings at all the right moments. The story itself is uplifting enough, but that music just pulls it up another notch. A winner.