With the release of Rocky Balboa in theaters over Christmas, the world got a poignant and impactful conclusion to the Rocky movie series, and Sylvester Stallone defied expectations by earning kudos from critics. After the disaster that was Rocky V, this is sweet redemption and a triumphant finale for one of the most beloved underdog stories in the history of film.
It tookStallone seven years to convince a studio to take on the project because everyone thought Rocky’s time had passed and the story had run its course. He endured endless criticism and ridicule, being called names such as “Olden Gloves†and “Stallone’s Final Failure†in the New York Post. But like his character in the film, Stallone knew he had something left to give, and wanted to go out on a high note. On the day of the film’s premiere, he must have been beaming with pride as the New York Post printed a huge color photo of Rocky with the bold headline declaring “Knockout!†followed by a glowing review.
Stallone uses his trademark simplicity to deliver a powerful message:
“It ainÂ’t about how hard you hit. ItÂ’s about how hard you can GET hit, how much you can take, and keep moving forward.Ââ€
And isnÂ’t that true for anyone pursuing a worthwhile endeavor against the odds? Th e people we most admire in society are those who face unimaginable challenges on their way to success and achieving their dreams.
When you get knocked downÂ…GET UP!
There is so much truth, beauty, humor and hope in this film – you canÂ’t help but be impacted emotionally as it represents a struggle that is universal for all of us. Boxing is just the metaphor. The original Rocky was a masterpiece in storytelling, and this last film of the series was equally compelling and sentimental, and “went the distance†to represent the true character of an underdog.
IÂ’ve seen Rocky Balboa three times and every time the audience actually cheers out loud. Inevitably there are even a few people wiping away embarrassed tears. There is something about this story that just grabs your heart, especially if youÂ’ve ever felt like thereÂ’s a dream burning inside you that nobody else can see. For Sylvester Stallone, the story rings true in his real life as well. This is a guy who risked everything to pursue an acting career. He studied drama at the University of Miami and left for New York to seek his fortune. After little success in New York, he decided to head for Hollywood. At 30 years old, he drove across the country with his dog, Butkus, in his rusty old 1964 Oldsmobile, with no connections and no plan. The odds of success were not exactly in his favor, but what he did have was an unstoppable desire.
He made the rounds to studios and casting agents and managed to get a few small roles in movies and television, but it was one meeting in particular with producer Robert Chartoff that changed his life forever. After being told (yet again) that there was no acting work suitable for him, Stallone decided to create his own – and boldly asked, “By the way, I also do some writing. Would you be willing to look at a script?†The rest, as they say, is history.
Stallone wrote the script for Rocky in long hand in 3 days. He wrote from his heart about a situation he was all too familiar with (and one common to many of us) – the story of a man struggling to survive and make a living, but never getting the right opportunities in order to make something of himself. But what would happen if he actually got a shot? What would it take to rise to the occasion? And most importantly, what is it inside someone that really inspires them to dig deep and give his or her personal best? Like Stallone in his real life, Rocky was a story about a man fighting for something beyond money – integrity, self–respect, and personal pride. This is something we can all relate to.
Several producers offered to buy the screenplay, but only if Stallone didnÂ’t star in it. They wanted the title role to go to a “big name†actor. It was a moment of truth for Stallone, for here he was with only $100 in his whole world of assets, at the end of his rope, having sold his dog in order to survive – and turning down offers worth over $100,000 for he knew in his heart that Rocky Balboa was a character only he could play. It was a gutsy move, but by some miracle the beauty and magic of the script brought the right people together and the story of prizefighter Rocky Balboa came to life.
Rocky won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1976 and created a fan frenzy worldwide. The steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art became a major tourist attraction; a “pilgrimage†of sorts among Rocky fans, for running up those steps represents personal victory. We love the story because it gives us hope. As long as we keep reaching higher and challenging ourselves, there’s an opportunity to go the distance in our lives.
The message is to give every bit of what youÂ’ve got in you, and let the chips fall where they may. That is a life of no regrets. Use your life for something that inspires you. We each have our own demons to confront and a chorus of people around us who would rather ‘play it safeÂ’ – but what matters is that YOU know youÂ’ve given your very best. Our hope and our faith are challenged constantly, but true character and underdog spirit is demonstrated by how you can take the hits and keep on swinginÂ’.
