I Play Rocky’s first trailer, which was released yesterday and the trailer looks just as determined as Rocky was.
The film is written by Peter Gamble and directed by Academy Award winner Peter Farrelly (Green Book), and is the true story of a struggling Sylvester Stallone who insisted that he be cast as the lead role for the script he wrote that changed his life.
It seems from this initial screening that I Play Rocky isn’t trying to copy Rocky, it’s trying to capture the grit, sacrifice and tenacious determination that made Rocky possible.
Anthony Ippolito as a young Stallone is leading the cast, and if it’s any indication, his performance might have been the best of his career.
Ippolito doesn’t fall into caricature, but rather portrays Stallone’s distinct voice, gestures and subtle resolve in a remarkably authentic way.
The emotional heart of the trailer seems to be real, not forced, and his role as a man who’s constantly receiving the word “no” but never giving up on his dream makes him seem believable.
The secondary characters are also very well cast. Stephan James plays Carl Weathers and AnnaSophia Robb plays Sasha Czack, the first wife of Stallone.
Other cast members include Matt Dillon as Frank Stallone Sr., P.J. Byrne as legendary Rocky producer Irwin Winkler and Toby Kebbell as Robert Chartoff.
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Original Rocky director John G. Avildsen also makes an appearance to help bring to life the behind-the-scenes drama that resulted in one of Hollywood’s greatest David versus Goliath stories.
The trailer is visually reminiscent of the 1970s with a low, bold design. Whether in small apartments, smoky offices or recreated film sets, each frame seems to be carefully designed to transport viewers to the 70s.
Farrelly smartly doesn’t go so far as to include too much extravagant storytelling with fancy special effects; instead, the film focuses on close-up dialogue and moments of dramatic intensity to reveal Stallone’s financial difficulties and his unwavering belief in his script.
Yet, the pacing of the trailer is an outstanding one. It starts with rejection and rejection, and slowly ascends toward the momentous decision that would shape Stallone’s career.
The editing is very much like a traditional sports drama, as it begins at a difficult point and ends at an emotionally satisfying point.
The music score does a wonderful job of augmenting this development without revealing too much of the story in the movie.
The trailer’s most important feat is showcasing to viewers what makes Sylvester Stallone still relevant more than 40 years later.
In I Play Rocky, however, the focus is on the far less glamorous chapter before the fame, one of uncertainty, perseverance and personal sacrifice.
That approach adds a new dimension to the film beyond nostalgia.
The only slight quibble is that some of the trailer moments are quite cliché.
But, due to the other events in the trailer being so interesting, the clichés did not matter.
In sum, I Play Rocky is more than just another Hollywood biopic.
Anthony Ippolito is acting as a very realistic Stallone, and a solid supporting cast, is set to give viewers an inspiring look at the making of one of cinema’s greatest underdog legends with Peter Farrelly behind the camera.
I Play Rocky could be one of the most uplifting and memorable biographical dramas of the year if the finished film matches the emotion, authenticity and heart displayed here.
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