I sat down for the surprise screening at the BFI London Film Festival not knowing what to expect. When it was announced that this year’s surprise film was I Play Rocky, the audience’s reaction was mixed. Some seemed disappointed, others were shocked, while a few, myself included, were excited by what we were about to see. Thankfully, it did not disappoint.
Directed by Peter Farrelly, I Play Rocky follows Sylvester Stallone’s desperate yet inspiring attempts to break into the film industry, alongside the story of how he wrote Rocky and fought to ensure he would be the one to bring the character to life. It is a story about ambition, perseverance and refusing to compromise on a dream, even when the odds seem impossibly stacked against you.
Having grown up with the Rocky franchise, the film already had a special place in my heart. My mum and brother adore the films, and watching them together as a child became part of my own relationship with the franchise. I was also familiar with Stallone’s remarkable story of how he fought to get Rocky made, so when I heard that it was being adapted into a film, it felt like the perfect project. After all, there is something inherently cinematic about a story in which the man behind one of Hollywood’s most enduring underdog tales had to become an underdog himself to get it off the ground.
The highlight of the film is undoubtedly Anthony Ippolito’s performance as Stallone. His movements, voice and facial expressions are uncanny, and there are moments when I found myself in awe of just how completely he transforms into the actor. Rather than simply imitating Stallone, Ippolito captures the determination and vulnerability beneath the familiar mannerisms, making his portrayal feel like more than an exercise in impersonation. He brings to life a man who knows exactly what he wants but must repeatedly fight to convince the rest of the world that he deserves the chance to achieve it.
AnnaSophia Robb is equally wonderful as Stallone’s wife, Sasha. She brings warmth, tenderness and a welcome lightness to the film, providing a grounding presence alongside Ippolito’s larger-than-life performance. Their dynamic helps to give the story an emotional centre, reminding us that behind every ambitious dream is a personal life that must weather the uncertainty, sacrifices and frustrations that come with pursuing it.
What makes I Play Rocky so effective is its heartfelt approach to Stallone’s journey. It does not simply celebrate the success that followed; it takes the time to explore the trials and tribulations that came before it. Watching Stallone repeatedly refuse offers that would have denied him the chance to play Rocky is both frustrating and inspiring. He could have taken the easier route, but he believed in his script and in his ability to embody the character. That determination ultimately helped shape the career he would go on to build.
There is a powerful message here about holding on to your ambitions, even when doing so comes at a cost. Success rarely arrives as neatly or as quickly as we might hope, and I Play Rocky captures the uncertainty of pursuing something that everyone else seems convinced is out of reach. Stallone’s story is a reminder that sometimes believing in yourself means being willing to hear “no” again and again until you finally get the opportunity you have been fighting for.
Visually, the film does an excellent job of transporting audiences back to 1970s America and the Hollywood landscape in which Stallone was trying to establish himself. The cinematography gives the period a lived-in quality, while the recreation of some of Rocky’s most iconic moments offers a particularly nostalgic treat for fans. Watching the film revisit Rocky’s run through Philadelphia and his triumphant pose at the top of the steps of the Museum of Art was a delight. These sequences capture the magic of the original film while allowing audiences to appreciate the journey that went into creating it.
By the time I left the cinema, I wanted to run up a flight of stairs and throw my arms into the air myself. That is perhaps the greatest compliment I can give I Play Rocky: it left me feeling invigorated, nostalgic and reminded of why we go to the cinema in the first place. It is not just about revisiting a beloved franchise, but about rediscovering the feeling that anything might be possible if you are willing to fight for it.
I Play Rocky is a knockout for fans of the franchise, but its appeal extends far beyond them. It is a film for dreamers, for anyone who has ever been told that their ambitions are unrealistic, and for those in need of a heartfelt reminder that the journey can be just as meaningful as the destination. Like the film that inspired it, this is an uplifting underdog story that knows exactly how to land its punches.
I Play Rocky is released in UK cinemas November 6
