Great Moments From Cinema - 36
Gonna Fly Now
Movie: Rocky (UA-USA; 1976)
Director: John G. Avildsen
Screenplay: Sylvester Stallone
Major Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Burgess Meredith and Carl Weathers
Film Synopsis: Stallone plays a “has-been” boxer who gets a second chance at glory when he is picked by the champ as a novelty world championship opponent.
My Favorite Moment: Stallone preparing for the fight with a run through the streets of Philadelphia at dawn.
Why I Like It: This is one of the most uplifting and feel-good movies of all time. It has been called one of the best sports films but it is really much more than that. The movie is not about a man’s passion towards boxing and a burning desire to be the best, but rather a look at someone who fights so as to earn a living. Even when he gets his shot at the title, all ‘Rocky’ wants to do is “go the distance”.
This scene is a clichéd one which has been seen in hundreds of other sports films. A person getting up at dawn and then training to the point of exhaustion is something, which never fails to inspire the audience. But very seldom do we actually get involved, for in most cases, the outcome is a foregone conclusion. However this time we are not cheering for ‘Rocky’ the sportsman, but ‘Rocky’ the person whom we have grown to care about. ‘Rocky’ starts his pre-dawn run through his modest neighborhood, and then builds up speed as he passes through the docks and finally culminates into a triumphant wave as he sprints up the steps of the Philadelphia art museum. All of this happens to the background tune of “Gonna fly now”. As he gets pumped and jumps up and down, we share his joy. He is happy because he finally has a definite goal in life, a chance to change his routine life. The fact that it is a world championship fight is beside the point. He is really just a guy who wants to spend his time with an ordinary girl, whom he loves. He always has had a big heart. All that was needed was a nudge to get him going. The sight of ‘Rocky’ with his arms raised on top of the steps is not just an iconic moment in cinema, but one of the iconic moments in the history of Philadelphia.
Stallone gives an incredible performance and all those who have grown up watching some of his mediocre films should revisit this one to see what a great actor he might have been. Talia Shire excellently underplays her role of the extremely shy girlfriend. This movie doesn’t tell a story of a person realizing his dream, just a person who wants to be recognized. It won the Academy award for the best film and although Stallone followed this with 4 forgettable sequels, the original remains one of the best human films of our time.
2 Comments:
why are you posting all these moments from American flicks? Do you think you will look like a movie connoisseur just because you post superficial reviews of Oscar-winning flms? Or do you want to show off that you are a movie buff? Stop all these fake nonsense. Review a typical Bollywood masala and we'll see how good you are. Anyone can "review" old Oscar winners in these days of Google and original movie blogs that carry good reviews.
[Ramesh]: You need not have wasted 20 minutes of your life to learn what I could have told you in a minute if only asked.
Yes I am a movie buff and its not something I advertise on my T-shirt. Cinema is an art form and and I respect it as such. I do not write these blogs for either money nor fame. I do it so that there is a record of my feelings towards a particular film. People are welcome to either read it or skip over to other important things and as you mentioned, in this day of Google, there are several things out there that can be enjoyed.
My not reviewing Bollywood films is not a sign of disrespect.I repeat, it is an art form to be enjoyed, without nationality coming into the discussion. It is just a fact that I do not get an opportunity to see as many Bollywood films as the other ones.
There is a reason for a film to win an Academy award. It is not a poll taken during lunch hour at a cafeteria. It is a thorough examination of what the best is out there and only then do they nominate a film. I merely examine that reason and more often than not, agree. I am not competing with the 100's of critics from around the globe, just a part of the community.
I will take your advice under consideration since feedback, even though negative, is always a chance to learn and improve. Remember one thing, long after you and I are gone, these films will remain and never be forgotten.
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