Oscar-winning director Peter Farrelly returns to biopics with his sixth solo effort, “I Play Rocky,” produced by Amazon MGM Studios. Peter Gamble’s script dramatizes the development and production of the classic film “Rocky.”
Anthony Ippolito delivers a star-making performance as Sylvester Stallone, with a supporting cast that includes AnnaSophia Robb as Sasha Czack (Stallone’s wife), Toby Kebbell as Robert Chartoff (a producer of “Rocky”), P.J. Byrne as Irwin Winkler (another producer), Stephan James as Carl Weathers, Jay Duplass as “Rocky” director John G. Avildsen, Tracy Letts as Sandy Maddox (a composite Hollywood executive), and Matt Dillon as Frank Stallone Sr. (Stallone’s father).
As someone who understands the labor of love it took to bring “Rocky” to the big screen, I was eager to see how the story would unfold. Gamble’s script covers the key moments most moviegoers recognize, including Stallone’s early struggles as an actor and his eventual success as a writer, notably the story of his beloved dog. However, Gamble’s script and Farrelly’s direction frame the film as an underdog story.
Though the audience knows the story’s outcome, Anthony Ippolito’s embodiment of Stallone makes the material feel fresh. His voice, makeup, and mannerisms capture Stallone perfectly. Watching the scenes where Stallone writes scripts, faces setbacks, and receives support from his wife reminded me of my own aspirations as a writer. The supporting cast also performs well, and their camaraderie enhances Ippolito’s portrayal of Stallone. I found the producers’ and director’s portrayals particularly engaging.
The film has many heartwarming moments I don’t want to spoil, but I’m eager to see it again with an audience. Numerous applause-worthy moments reinforce why we go to the movies. One of my favorite scenes comes near the end, when a general audience sees “Rocky” for the first time, and their reactions highlight the studio executives’ humility.
While I loved “I Play Rocky,” one of my main criticisms is that Robert Morgan’s portrayal of the legendary Burgess Meredith feels a bit underwritten. Anyone familiar with “Rocky” knows how crucial Mickey and Rocky’s relationship is, so I would have liked to see more depth in the chemistry built between Stallone and Meredith. Similarly, Kiki Seto, who plays Talia Shire, felt somewhat one-dimensional, leaving us wanting more development of their love story, another big moment in “Rocky.”
As I left the theater after watching “I Play Rocky,” a quote from Friedrich Nietzsche came to mind: “The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly.” “I Play Rocky” is not only one of 2026’s best films, but also a reminder never to give up on your dreams.
Final Grade: A
“I Play Rocky” is scheduled to begin a limited theatrical release in the United States on November 6, 2026, and expand nationwide on November 20.
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