Official Movie site: http://www.mgm.com/view/movie/1666/Rocky/flash.html
I want my children to see this movie for a variety of lessons and themes. Set in, and released in 1976, when I was 10 years old, this movie about a seemingly washed up boxer, who gets a shot at the Heavyweight Title, was the first time a movie inspired me and left me wanting to take on the world. But the themes and lessons abound. Here is my list.
1. Theme music in movies is integral! The music in this movie is masterful. Bill Conti's music throughout brings the emotional tone to every scene. Heavy brass music is a rarity in film but this movie highlights it well. The mournful French Horn in Philadelphia Morning, captures the opening steps in Rocky's transformation from "bum" to champion level fighter. It also perfectly fits the early morning streets of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. Of course, Gonna Fly Now, is possibly the most recognizable inspirational movie music ever. Compared with Philadelphia Morning, it captures the metamorphosis of Rocky's resurgence.
2. Less is More: I honestly don't think this movie could have been made in today's highly competitive and scripted and stylized Hollywood landscape. Rocky 3 and 4 demonstrate clearly what happens when you over-do a movie. These later movies are tragedies that were made for all the wrong reasons. Namely, money and additional fame for Sylvester Stallone. But I digress. What made Rocky beautiful was its simplicity. The themes of love, friendship, redemption, loyalty, even arrogance and vanity, were not overdone, but carefully culled and completely authentic. The casting was superb because it was subtle and completely believable. Even Talia Shire, whose stunning beauty was so well masked by horn rimmed glasses, knit cap, and house coat, brings the shy, introverted pet store worker to life with amazing clarity. Her powerful breakaway scene where she pounds her fists on her brother Pauly's chest captures her awakening and freedom from his paternalistic dominance. Most subtle, was Sylvester Stallone's slow simple speech pattern that was so believable, that when you see interview's with Stallone you are confused that he is speaking in more fluent tones. Carl Weathers, couldn't been more perfect as the boastful, yet surprising lovable antagonist. In a way he represents well the American sense of pride of that particular time period. (See more about Weather's performance below)
3. Vanity is filled with weaknesses and blind-spots. This lesson comes into play in the Shawshank Redemption as well, but Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) represents weakness from arrogance. So consumed has his character become in creating an entertainment show, he becomes blind to the opponent he faces. Apollo's manager in the film utters the classic line, "He doesn't know its a damn show, he thinks its a damn fight" (about Rocky)
4. Talent is often overlooked and sadly often never realized. I never really caught on to this aspect of the film as a young boy. I thought the overall message was that if you just worked out really hard, you could be a great boxer. (Naive, I know) But in truth, not everyone possesses the talents to be a great boxer. Very few make it to a level of professional. The key element is Rocky had talent, as Mickey, played by Burgess Meredith, reminds him.- "You had talent, but you fight like a god*** ape!" We can surmise from the story that Rocky would have continued a lowly existence of a part time fighter, part time Mob ruffian were it not for the chance he was given. Too many people flounder through life like Rocky, not putting the talents you have to maximum potential. Perhaps Thoreau said it better, "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation."
5. America in 1976- This movie unabashedly gives you a glimpse of America in 1976 and our Bi-centennial. I remember it well as a boy, and I didn't realize the how much it blended with the story until I watched it years later. Apollo's insistence of choosing Rocky for no other reason that the name, "The Italian Stallion" because it was an Italian that discovered America. (Columbus) I know, I know, that is not politically correct anymore.
6. Once you recognize your talents, it takes hard work and collaborating with others to develop and hone them. This obviously corresponds with number 4, but its important in and of itself. Recognizing your talents is only half the battle. You must learn to turn your talents into a productive source of fulfillment for your success. Hard work is one aspect of it, but knowledge is the other. This lesson is beautifully outlined in the apartment scene with Rocky and Mickey. Mickey tells Rocky about his knowledge that he wants to give to Rocky. Rocky is of course offended since Mickey was harsh on him at the gym and gave his locker to another fighter. This is an intense scene and often difficult to watch more than once because the acting is brilliant and heart wrenching. Yet, this is an integral pairing, Rocky's talent and Mickey's experience based knowledge. Talent takes you so far. Seek out others that can help you with their experience, and be grateful to them.
7. You need to surround yourself with some people that will be honest with you about your failings. Again this one comes back to Mickey and Rocky's relationship. I would argue that it is the dynamic between Mickey and Adrian that is key. Adrian builds up Rocky emotionally and Mickey builds him up physically. It is a key dynamic. But the important part is that many of us have the supportive people in our life and that is wonderful, yet we often need truth tellers as well. Those people that will call a spade a spade. It is not always easy to hear, but honest feedback is essential towards earning any real achievement.
8. Setting is powerful. After re-watching Rocky some 40 years later, it finally hit me that a key component of the movie was Director John Alvidson's magnificence at making the city of Philadelphia a "character" in the film. Each scene brings visual intricacies that capture the eye, but more than that enhance the character and plot development. I will never forget the opening scene with the Christ mural as the opening visual. Philadelphia represents so much of America, its history, and spirit, that is clearly defined in this picture.
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