Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Rocky Balboa

Today, before heading to work, I found myself watching Rocky Balboa for the third time. Truth be told, for a movie that I thought would be a joke, it is slowly creeping its way into my list of overall favourites. Aside from the fact that it's a nice way to way to end the Rocky series of movies, Stallone and company portray a solid story of a man who's got all he ever needs for the rest of his days; Heart.

(Spoiler alert)

Adrian
The movie starts off in a very nostalgic manner with Rocky going about his daily routine and highlighting a man's life whose very nature pays homage to the romantic notion of 'better to have loved and lost'. The small subtleties of Balboa remembering all the small things about his dearly departed Adrian are reminiscent of a notion that is of an old coda which is that of a 'Gentleman and his Lady'. All the details the are so meticulously pointed out all relate to the simple fact that all he ever needed from his lady were trust and honesty and that is all he needed to get by.

Drive
Throughout the movie, the constant symbol of the basement is brought back time and time again and that no matter where one finds himself in life, there's nothing more worthwhile than putting yourself behind a drive to be the absolute best you can be. The interesting thing about this movie though is not only do they show drive of the Hero Balboa, but also of the apparent enemy. Both characters train and push themselves with the soul intent of findind a satisfaction within themselves.

Never say Die
The line rings in your head like a bad backstreet boy song at the end of the movie. "What is it you told the kid? Dosn't matter how hard you get hit, it's your job to get up". The beauty of the whole scene when he says this is that all the sentiments of grit, tenacity and ire and the accompanying will of a champion just resonate and surge forth as you watch the scene. Very well done in this bit of film.

Truth be told is that I could go on and find other noble virtues that are portrayed in the movie as there are many. Overall, the entire piece is well done from top to bottom and definately worth the watch (but not during sex as its worth more than that).

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tbone, you crack me up. If it's worth watching three times, I'll give it another shot - and I promise to pay more attention the second time around. :P

Drewjitsu said...

"You trade old pain fa new pain"

Ahh, Rocky, you are a genius.

--Anders.