I Play Rocky Premiere Draws Cheers and Jeers at TIFF
The Toronto Film Festival premiere of Peter Farrelly's 'I Play Rocky' saw an enthusiastic audience, per Collider, cheering the film's humor and heart. The biopic stars Anthony Ippolito as a young Sylvester Stallone, fighting to make 'Rocky' and insisting he play the lead role himself, a demand that reportedly led him to reject a huge cash offer for the script rights. According to Collider, producers finally agreed to a shoestring production budget of one million dollars, leading to creative on-set solutions like using an early Steadicam for the famous run up the steps.
However, a review from TheWrap paints a different picture, calling the film a 'hollow crowdpleaser' and a 'misfire.' TheWrap's report claims the movie reduces Stallone's story to conventional beats and that, while Ippolito impersonates Stallone's voice, the performance lacks the actor's soul. TheWrap also criticizes the script as 'emotionally inert,' feeling more like a visual Wikipedia page than a passionate retelling.
JoBlo's review countered with praise, calling the film a 'knockout' and highlighting Ippolito's 'uncanny performance' as Stallone. A separate report from TheWrap noted that Ippolito was so eager for the part that he filmed his own audition tape before he even had the script, after reading an article about the project.
The film depicts Stallone's relationship with his future wife Sasha, played by AnnaSophia Robb, and his contentious dynamic with his father, portrayed by Matt Dillon. 'I Play Rocky' is currently seeking distribution following its festival debut.
