A tale of a small-time club fighter who wonders the slums of Philadelphia in a much slower pace than anyone else. With little to do, Rocky observes and discovers the hidden beauty within Adrian, an introverted soul who works in the local pet store. Although the films ultimate theme is love, it also explores a rags to riches story of an ordinary uneducated Italian-American boxer going the distance.
Written and starring Sylvester Stallone, the picture held a budget of only $1 million; however ended up becoming the highest grossing film of 1976 as well as receiving three Academy Awards including Best Picture. It took Stallone only three and a half days to write the screenplay after watching the championship match between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner in 1975. No one expected Wepner to last as long as he did, and it has been speculated that this was the main catalyst for Rocky. The film was shot across 28 days and was incredibly low budget. During Rocky and Adrian's first date in the ice rink; it was scheduled to take place during regular business hours, with 300 extras to appear in the scene. Fortunately, they could not afford them and the script was rewritten to what we see today. Rocky, is culturally and aesthetically significant.
Ideology is a tool of social production, it reproduces the existing social order and sets assumptions generally accepted within society. Rocky explores cultural ideology. Specifically, the American Dream - America as the land of opportunity. This proposes that birth and class are not barriers; every American, regardless of circumstances should have equality of opportunity as well as the idea that every citizen should have the opportunity to pursue their own happiness. This is exampled in Rocky, as he starts out as a small-time boxer who later gets the shot of the world heavyweight championship against Apollo Creed. Cultural ideology can be underpinned within various scenes of the film. During the training montage Stallone's character begins running through the slum streets of Philadelphia and ends triumphantly on the iconic 'Rocky steps' opposite a large wealthy statue. This is perhaps a visual representation, or a foreshadow of the journey this character will take, because Rocky does not dream of success or wealth. He is a realist, and never expects to be anyone. Consequently showing how Rocky also reflects the anxieties Americans possibly had towards the American dream. Another example is when Rocky meets with the promoter of the fight. During this scene Stallone is sat down and the promoter is always stood up, this creates a sense of authority as camera angles also illuminate and contribute to the idea that the promoter is 'looking down' on him. Nevertheless, as soon as he gives his proposal about fighting Creed, the promoter is sat on the edge of his desk and becomes level with Stallone. Thus illustrating the experimentation with authority figures.
Overall, the film received positive reviews from critics. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 4 out of 4 stars and said that Stallone reminded him of the young Marlon Brando. Several reviews also compared it to the work of Frank Capra. For me personally, although I believe Stallone gives an authentic, honest performance of Rocky, Talia Shire's performance of Adrian is simply extraordinary. Not only is Adrian's character development shown through her growing confidence in clothing, but Shire's ability to portray her from a timid and shy girl to a confident and blossoming woman is beautiful. Stallone once admitted in an interview on the making of Rocky*, that during the first kiss scene in the movie, "you'll never see better responding by an actress to an awakening inside of really feeling like someone truly loves her...I disappear in that scene, she is just off the chart." Thankfully, the Academy gave her a nomination for Best Actress for her role in the movie.
This film means a lot to people because it touches hearts, I disregard any criticism the film receives toward it not being a 'realistic' story. Because the truth is that not only did it happen to Rocky but Stallone also went the distance. From having to sell his dog and living in a room where he could open the window and shut the door at the same time from his bed, to writing and starring in a film which went on to win the Best Picture Academy Award. That is real life. That is why Rocky is fuelled with so much passion and means so much to its audience.
*Stallone's interview on the making of Rocky.
