Going the Distance

Rating: Null/10 (13 February 2002)

***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** After reviewing many of the comments already left for this movie, I felt I had to offer my two cents. As a Philadelphia native, this movie has always held a little extra appeal for me, so I disclose that fact at the outset. Personal bias not withstanding, however, "Rocky" is one of the best movies I've ever seen. I am probably not your typical "Rocky" fan- for one thing, I'm not a fan of Sylvester Stallone, I am a woman, and I was born after the movie made its debut. In spite of all of those factors, I love this movie and have seen it countless times.
As one reviewer pointed out, "Rocky" is not a "boxing movie." The comments regarding how "Rocky" is just another underdog-wins-big sap fest clearly do not remember the film that well, or perhaps are thinking of one of the many sequels. In most movies celebrating the underdog, the protagonist sets out to prove to the world that he is capable of greatness and triumphs. By contrast, Rocky has nothing to prove to anyone but himself. Rocky does not fight for the recognition of others- he fights (literally and metaphorically) for self-respect.
Rocky learns to respect himself and, in a not unrelated side-effect, earns the respect of others. Rocky, who has never "applied himself" in any endeavor, learns that for others to respect him, he has to respect himself. That concept manifests itself in a boxing match and the "training" that leads up to it. On one level, Rocky trains his previously neglected body for the "big event." On another level, and the far more interesting one, Rocky trains his previously neglected self-concept and learns that he is worthy and capable of the respect of others, as well as of self-respect.
Both training endeavors develop in the context of the relationships Rocky pursues. First, we see the relationship between Rocky and his trainer, Mickey. Mickey has written off Rocky, as evidenced by a great scene where Rocky shows up to train only to find that Mickey has given his locker to a new boxer. Mickey regularly calls his student a "bum" and it is clear he has no faith in Rocky's abilities to do anything other than break thumbs and bust noses for his loan-shark employer. Mickey does not want anything to do with Rocky until he sees an opportunity to capitalize on Rocky's chance to fight Apollo Creed (lucky for Rocky, since noone else was lining up for the job). Rocky clearly believes Mickey's assessment of both his fighting prospects and internalizes the message of the father-figure to his life prospects as well. (Mickey tells him "you're a waste of life."). Mickey is a bitter-old man who feels he missed his chance to be a great fighter and wants to attach himself to a winner- he does not see Rocky as his ideal match. However, fate is such that Rocky is the one who will give Mickey the chance to have a moment in the spotlight and to feel success.
Another interesting relationship is that of Rocky and mousy pet-store worker Adrian. Adrian also won't give Rocky the time of day, however, it is not because she feels he is a "bum." It is because she, too, doubts her worth. As we later find out, Adrian's mother once told her something to the effect "You better develop your brains, 'cause you don't have much of a body." Rocky was once given a similar piece of "wisdom" by his father who said "You better develop your body, 'cause you sure didn't get much of a brain." Adrian, however, sees in Rocky something she doesn't see in herself- power and determination. It is only through her relationship with Rocky that she eventually stands up for herself to her alcoholic brother, Paulie. At the same time, with Adrian's approval, Rocky learns to have faith in himself, and she gives him the strength (ironically) that he needs to get into the ring with the champ.
The most interesting relationship in the movie occurs between Rocky and Paulie. Paulie works at a meat packing plant, where Rocky sometimes "trains" by pounding slabs of beef. Paulie is a truly pathetic figure, an alcoholic who is cared for by his sister who latches on to Rocky, another loser. It is when Rocky has a chance at success, a prospect that continually eludes Paulie, that Paulie erupts and confronts his friend, addressing feelings of abandonment and rejection. He is a tragic figure, and the perfect dramatic foil. It is not hard to imagine Rocky in such a context 20 years down the line unless he capitalizes on the opportunity to make a good showing for himself.
The reason these relationships are so pivotal to the movie is because they contribute to Rocky's development. When Rocky, rejected by Mickey (also a father-figure) learns of his opportunity to fight for the championship, he assumes that Apollo Creed just wants an easy mark. Ever the realist, Rocky has no delusions of beating Creed. However, Rocky realizes that this is his chance, and probably his only chance, to show those in his life, including himself, that he is worthy of their time and respect. Rocky does not want to be just another "bum from the neighborhood," and while he fights Creed physically, he is battling the demons of complacency, failure and mediocracy at the same time. To overcome the internal struggle, Rocky does not need to overcome Creed- he merely needs to show himself that he is good enough to be a contender. Noone suspects, for a moment, that Rocky could win the physical match as well.
One point which is often overlooked is that Rocky LOSES the big fight. Creed wins by a decision. However, Rocky "wins" in the sense that he has proven to himself that he can make a respectable showing for himself if he works hard and is dedicated. He has also earned the respect of Mickey and Adrian. For Rocky, the fight was not for the championship - it was for respect and self-respect. And while he lost the boxing match, he won the bigger fight and thus has "won" regardless of the outcome.
It is hard to imagine someone not liking this movie. The characters are real people, not likeable so much as familiar, not sympathetic as much as tragic, not winners so much as people who've found acceptance within and with others. One is far more likely to identify with Rocky than with Rambo- every day, people feel the struggle to earn and maintain self-respect amid others who doubt their abilities and perseverance. No one wins every battle, but so long as a good showing is made, the battle may be lost, but the war is won.
I'd recommend this movie to all but the most literal-minded movie-viewer. The movie is subtle in its many layers of appeal. The performances are not "over the top" but quiet, reflective and pensive. The script is realistic, never fabricated (one of my favorite scenes, in fact, is one with no words, where Rocky and Mickey share an embrace in the street below). While contrived, the plot does not require suspension of disbelief. Most importantly, the themes of the movie are conveyed subtly and effectively, but never spelled out. It is strange to think of a movie set around the gritty worlds of boxing and slums and "subtle" but the performances really excel in that regard.
5/5 stars. I have actually just put myself in the mood to watch the movie again.