I Play Rocky Is an Unapologetic Crowd-Pleaser, Just Like the Movie Whose Story It Chronicles

I Play Rocky is a movie that celebrates the true story of Sylvester Stallone, without being apologetic about it. The film, directed by Peter Farrelly and written by Peter Gamble, is an unapologetic crowd-pleaser that brings to life the underdog story of a scrappy boxer who goes against the reigning heavyweight champion and almost wins. Despite being made for less than a million dollars, Rocky became an instant classic that everyone talked about, and its star, Stallone, seemed to have come out of nowhere.

The film follows young, broke Stallone (played by Anthony Ippolito) as he navigates the early 1970s New York City, reading for parts but not getting them. He lives on the streets, finds a puppy named Butkus, lands a role in a softcore film, and eventually gets a job taking tickets at a movie theater. It is there that he meets Sasha (played by AnnaSophia Robb), who will later become his wife. Stallone tells her his dreams of becoming an actor, and if he has to write his own roles, he'll do it.

The film's director, Peter Farrelly, is known for making movies that entertain and move the audience, without being heavy-handed. With his brother Bobby, Farrelly made some of the most iconic comedies of the 1990s, including Dumb & Dumber and There's Something About Mary. Their 2018 film, Green Book, which won three Academy Awards, also faced criticism for its "white savior" trope, but Farrelly maintains his focus on entertaining and moving the audience, without compromising on the story's authenticity.

I Play Rocky features a great supporting cast, including Stephan James as Carl Weathers, the actor who plays Rocky's opponent. The film's humor and heart are brought to life by the chemistry between Ippolito and Robb, who play the young Stallone and Sasha. As the film unfolds, it becomes clear that Stallone's determination, both on and off the screen, is what makes him a true underdog, and I Play Rocky is a tribute to his resilience and unwavering belief in himself.