I Play Rocky Review: Anthony Ippolito Gets Stallone's Wit, Savvy and Drive

I loved I Play Rocky. I've been excited for this one, and coming out of the theater, it's one of my favorites of the year so far. The film tells the true story of Sylvester Stallone and his struggle to make Rocky. He went from an unknown actor essentially living in poverty to writing an amazing script that everybody wanted, then playing the lead role against all odds. It's the true underdog story.

I recently saw a clip of Stallone on with Johnny Carson where the idea came up that somebody should make a movie about the making of Rocky. That's 100% correct.

Anthony Ippolito plays Stallone without falling into impression

What has to carry you through is the actor playing Stallone, and that's Anthony Ippolito. It's a very tricky role. If you land too far in impression territory, it's over, because you won't buy it. People were concerned he'd be doing an impression of Rocky rather than Stallone, but you buy the voice, the persona and the fact that he's him. "There's times when he's sitting there and talking that I felt it was Stallone." He gets Stallone's wit, his business sense and his drive.

I hope he doesn't get overlooked for an Academy Award nomination. "I think he should get one. I don't know if he necessarily will, but I hope that he does."

I Play Rocky is about drive, not just Rocky references

AnnaSophia Robb, who plays his wife, is also a good balance. The film shows the building blocks of how we got Rocky. There are moments where you recognize a scene from Rocky, but it isn't about that. It's about the drive, the motivation and believing in yourself, which is what Rocky was, and Stallone's true story was exactly that.

The film is absolutely for Rocky fans, especially if you know the story and get to see it come to be. I think it's for everybody, though.

Peter Farrelly makes the 1970s feel authentic

Peter Farrelly does a very good job showing you that this is the 1970s, with a raw, gritty feel. "The word that I used after I left was authentic." When they recreate scenes from the movies, it feels like it's from the movie.

There were a couple of performances, which I won't name, where I thought that doesn't feel like the person being played, but that comes and goes within seconds. The relationship between Stallone and Chartoff and Winkler is great to watch, as you wonder whether they're going to fight for him, along with the maneuvering around the studio system. Jay Duplass, playing Avildsen, was amazing too, and I hope that gets recognition.

It's a great overall story, and it's motivational the way this story should be. It's tailored to me as a Rocky fan who knows the Stallone story, and it delivers. Above all, I hope Anthony Ippolito gets some recognition.