Subtle, well crafted drama about a no-hoper

Rating: Null/10 (30 May 2000)

Whilst the Rocky name mainly conjures up the image of over-the-top Hollywood block-busters with 2 heavyweight boxers slugging it out unrealistically until their faces are mangled for the final third of the film; the original film has very little of this. In fact the boxing is quite secondary in some ways and the main idea of the film is Rocky learning to sort out his life.
Arguably, this film comes close to becoming a social drama, although the underlying concept of an out-of-condition club boxer becoming a world champion contender in 5 weeks does stretch credibility and keeps nagging at the brain. Still it was one of the first of its kind, and for the subtle way in which it was done, which still leaves you with the feel good factor, it must be one of the best.