Rocky, the « fist » one (TV)

Rating: 10/10 (28 February 2007)

Sometimes, memories and the spirit of a movie are better than the movie itself. This is the case with this Rocky.
I was a teenager in the 80's, in which Stallone's movies are archetypal: Rambos, Rockys.
In regard to the boxer saga, I was fascinated with its symbolization of America (the star spangled shorts, Us vs CCCP) and the prime value of America, which Apollo Creed, its rival in this movie, announces clearly: "America is the land where every one can go to the top if he takes the chance at hand". In the hard times of maturing into an adult, these speech is a big help: "believe in you, fight and you win".
Maybe Rocky isn't the only movie with this message, but Stallone gives a very moving interpretation: he doesn't abuse others with his strength, he sticks with his values, he always gives an hand, and the romance with "Adriannn" is admirable by its simplicity & sincerity. A great applause for Talia Shire for playing with such talent, a blooming introvert's wise woman.
Rocky also makes a difference with the score, which is unforgettable, and later with the great songs ("eye of the tiger").
So, you remember very easily all that & you care about, but, I don't find the pleasure to see this first part again and again.
On the other hand, this is also the 1st movie I saw on TV from a very long time, and I wanted to catch this airing after having seen at screen "Rocky VI", which I prefer (maybe because Rocky has aged as well as me.)
I leave you with two speeches in connection to Rocky:
1/ the Oscar winning speech of Forest Whitaker, which is a real but similar story to Rocky (why not make a movie about his life so?? (ah-ah):
"It wasn't my reality to think I would be acting in movies - so receiving this honour tonight tells me it is possible. It is possible for a kid from east Texas, raised in south central LA and Carson, who believes in his dreams, commits himself to them with his heart, to touch them and to have them happen."
2/ the dialog with the crook Gazzo, because it is the exact painful dilemma I face everyday at work (even thought my job isn't to collect money for mob (ah-ah bis)), so it was fun to hear it in a movie:
"Did I give you a job this mornin? How come ya didn't do it like I asked ya? When ya don't do what ya are told, it makes me look bad, kid." "I figured..." "Yeah, well don't figure - Let me do the figurin', okay, Rock? From here on in, just let me do the figurin', you know? From here on in, do what I tell you to do, because it's bad for my reputation, you understand? You got - you got it, Rock?"