Classic seventies character driven movie

Rating: 9/10 (22 March 2012)

I bought Rocky recently in a sale for a couple of euros. I had'nt seen it in years. I remembered it as a sentimental tale which robbed other greater movies of the Oscar in 1976. I was wrong. It works on every level. It is a gritty movie that earns it's place alongside the other classics of the seventies. The relationship between Paulie and his sister is brilliantly done. Life has been unkind to all the central characters between dead end jobs, poor living conditions and alcohol. They all realise their dreams have been trampled on, but they trying to get on with life. The only character with money is a local gangster. Then Rocky gets a break. From then on, the film builds to a climax taking in doubt, faith, love, confrontation and hope along the way. It really is a wonderful film. Watch it again and listen to that soundtrack.