An inspirational character study that pulls no punches.

Rating: 10/10 (13 March 2000)

Since its initial release ROCKY has been elevated to cinematic myth. And four sequels later, it may be easy to forget ROCKY'S roots. But this gentle tale of an Italian southpaw from the Philadelphia slums is worth returning to. An old fashioned story about the potential for every underdog to achieve greatness. Sylvester Stallone wrote the screenplay in only ten days, when he was little more than a bit performer in low budget films, and its success led him to become one of the most recognized movie stars in the world. His quiet unassuming portrayal of the Italian Stallion, an innocent boxer who gets a shot at the heavyweight title of the world is always intensely moving. A film that is both edgy and sensitive at the same time, ROCKY is every guy's STEEL MAGNOLIAS. And for anyone who's had to fight for what they believe in, it is guaranteed to draw a tear.