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The Original Rocky: Cliched but Supremely Well Done

Martin Asiner | jersey city, nj United States | 11/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The boxing film genre is, by its very nature, always viewed through a prism of cliches. From the very first fight films of the thirties, usually with Cagney as the fighter and Bogie as the crooked fixer, Hollywood has delivered a nonstop series of boxers on film who, for the most part, have resonated with the viewing public. The better ones linger in the memory, and with SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME, director Robert Wise presents the true to life story of middleweight champion Rocky Graziano, played in the performance of a lifetime by Paul Newman. Newman has been so good so often in future films using his face and voice, that it is refreshing to remember that as Rocky Graziano, he could combine that busted face and Brooklyn accent with a physical ferocity in the ring that compares favorably with the best of Stallone's Rocky. Newman plays Graziano as the thug that he surely was. First as a street hood, then later as an army malcontent, Graziano seems on the fast track to prison and an early death. Paradoxically, it is the very bitterness of his soul that convinces his manager Everett Sloane to take a chance on this tough kid as a professional fighter. Along the way, the cliches start to pile up: Sloane's 'Meshuganah' Yiddish accent; the complaints of his future wife (Pier Angeli) that she can't stand the fight business; and the many altercations that Graziano has with the rule-bound boxing commission, which is determined to make Rocky adhere to a set of rules that from the first reel, he would fight with the same ferocity that he would later show in the ring. But by the time these cliches add, the audience no longer cares that they are cliches. Now they care very much about the motivation within Rocky's soul. When Rocky forgets to attend a scheduled fight only because of the trauma of a breakup with Pier Angeli, the audience can feel the pain of his broken heart which does not leave room for such petty details as punching some opponent's lights out. And there are the fight scenes. The climactic battle with champion Tony Zale, the 'Iron Man,' is one of the best choreographed fights ever filmed. Court Shepard, who plays Zale, is an intimidating presence, who says not a word during this long bout, yet his etched in concrete face tells Rocky all he needs to know that Zale is no joke. The blow by blow narration done over the radio by real life announcer Henry Wismer adds a grueling note of authenticity to a fight that leaves the audience gasping at the pounding Graziano and Zale give each other. Throughout the film, Newman gives just the right note of a street born Brooklyn tough guy who slowly comes to realize that the toughest bout of his life need not take place in the ring itself. Connecting to his wife and father gave Rocky more internal bruises than the Iron Man ever could."

One Of Newman's Finest Roles!

Melvin Hunt | Cleveland,, Texas United States | 02/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this movie Paul Newman plays the role of Rocky Graziano.The
boxer Graziano was a one time juvenile delinquent who actually
wound up serving time in the penetentiary.This movie vividly portrays the hard knocks that Graziano had to endure during his
life and his boxing career.Through hard work and intense training
Graziano became the middleweight champion of the world.This is a
very touching movie that shows what determination can do. Graziano displayed these traits. This movie was also the debut of Steve McQueen. A very good movie that you must watch."

GREAT PAUL NEWMAN FILM

iLLMATiC81 | Brooklyn, NY United States | 12/30/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great boxing film starring Paul Newman. The acting is good (Paul in his early method acting era), the fight scenes are great and the story is great.
WHY IS THIS NOT ON DVD?????? CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN???
Im assuming there must be a legal lawsuit, dispute reason because if they have Showgirls VIP Edition out on DVD, it's a travesty to not release this!
I mean i can't even find it on region 0 from some Asian DVD Distributor

This is not an AMAZINGGG FILM THAT WILL BLOW YOU AWAY, and it was certainly overshadowed by the popularity of Rocky with Stallone, but this film is based on a true story which makes it very engaging and Paul Newman is the man. I had to purchase this on VHS from Ebay brand new but I got a great deal. You do not have to be a fan of Newman to enjoy this because its a great film anyway"

A memorable performance

Poocher | Rosamond CA | 11/15/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"
Paul Newman gives one of the most memorable performances ever in this
entertaining and riveting piece of drama about legendary boxer Rocky
Graziano. This is one of the finest of Newman's films, and it's one
of my favorite films of all time. Excellent."