‘I Play Rocky’: A riveting backstory 

For twenty years now we have been attending the Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) and each year there is usually one film that stands out that stays in my thoughts for several reasons.

Since our favorite films are typically documentaries or autobiographies, we especially enjoy those in which the subject matter delves into parts of a topic with which we were unfamiliar. This year, the standout film for me was “I Play Rocky.” The timing is perfect for this film’s release, as the original “Rocky” is celebrating its 50th anniversary since hitting the screens and becoming a classic and financial success.

Commemorating this anniversary Sylvester Stallone has been appearing on various programs talking about his film and once again explaining to audiences why “I look and talk this way.” He details that during his birth the obstetrician used two pairs of forceps and accidentally severed a nerve. This caused paralysis of the lower left side of his face, which included parts of his lip, tongue and chin, causing his slurred speech and snarling look.

This appearance and manner of speaking resulted in his being bullied by schoolmates and even his own father would insult and ridicule him. Despite his parents’ divorce, a rough childhood, and producers’ doubts about his ability to play the lead, Stallone’s writing skills and acting talents helped him emerge triumphantly, and the film “Rocky” was created.

“I Play Rocky” tells the story of a young Sylvester Stallone and his hard luck childhood, followed by years of living on the street or staying in what were called “flop houses” back in the day.

The young actor that stars in the film, Anthony Ippolito, is unbelievable! Within twenty minutes of the film, a viewer feels as if a miracle occurred and the real Sylvester Stallone, in a younger, back-in-time version, has appeared to star in this production.. Ippolito looks, sounds, walks and has the persona of Stallone. 

Directed by Peter Farrelly, an Academy Award winner, this movie should not be missed if you are a fan of the original film or Sylvester Stallone’s other work. The movie follows young Stallone’s mission to play the role he created and convince the two producers he is up to it, even though they wanted a well-known actor to be the lead.

Despite being broke, with a wife and baby on the way, Stallone holds his ground, refusing a vast sum of money from the movie company to buy his script. The two producers manage to get permission from the head of the studio for Stallone to start the role with conditions, including a short window to prove he can do it. Even though the viewer already knows Stallone got the part, the film takes audiences on a journey that leaves you wondering if he will get it!

Joining star Anthony Ippolito in the cast are Matt Dillon, AnnaSophia Robb, P.J. Byrne, Toby Kebbell, Tracy Letts, Jay Duplass, Stephan James and Kiki Seto. The film is being released commercially this November. Don’t miss it! 

Past HIFF biographies 

If biographical or documentary movies are among your favorite genres, here is a list of some of the best ones we’ve seen at HIFF over the years. Many of them are available on streaming services or on DVD at your local library. You can Google the title on IMDb to read the full description of each film.

“Itzhak”: A documentary about famed violinist Itzhak Perlman. The life story of this “greatest living violinist” captured the audience from the start, and high praise is certainly deserved for director and producer Alison Chernick for this accomplishment. The story is told with vintage photographs, film clips and current interviews with Perlman and his wife, Toby, in their New York City apartment. She is also an accomplished violinist, and they met when both attended violin camp as teens one summer.

“Sherpa”: This Australian-Nepalese film is about the Sherpa population whose members serve as guides on Mount Everest. The film offers a harrowing insider’s peek into the dangerous climbing involved and the intense, tedious and precarious routes the Sherpa guides take to carry equipment, food and supplies for tourists throughout the trip. The photography is breathtaking, as is the footage of the dangers on the mountain. Viewers are drawn into the lives of the Sherpa as the film shows the tiny village and those left behind as the men leave to earn enough to get the family through the months until the next tourists arrive on Everest. The story shows the tourists’ adventures, some paying as much as $75,000 a person for the two-month climb, and the dangers facing both climbers and guides.

“Goodbye Christopher Robin” is the full title of the life story of the author A.A. Milne. This is a sensitive portrayal of the little boy that was the feature character in the Winnie the Pooh book series. Milne was inspired to write his stories after seeing his only child playing with his stuffed animals and using his imagination to keep him company.  The opening scenes of the film were beautifully photographed and instantly the quality of the film is recognized within minutes and carried throughout its entirety. What one thinks before viewing this film is how happy Christopher’s life must have been featured in a world-famous book series.  Think of the Harry Potter success of J.K. Rowling and it is easy to picture, if there were a real-life Harry, how fans adoration would be overwhelmingly disruptive to life. Viewers are quickly immersed in Christopher’s life and seeing how fame was not something we’d come to envy. This film is not a children’s movie or whimsical tale. Newcomer Will Tilson (Christopher Robin) was adorable, and his dimpled smile melts your heart. The strong performances by Domhall Gleeson, as A.A. Milne, and Margot Robbie as Christopher’s often cold, stern mother, complete this sensitive, enchanting and touching story.  Try not to miss it. You will never look at storybook characters and the fame it brought to its authors the same way again.  

“Koch”: No explanation is needed when defining the subject of this film: His Honor, former New York City Mayor Edward Koch. He oversaw NYC from 1978 to 1989, and at the time the film was released in 2012, he was 86 and still as feisty and entertaining in his film answers as he was in interviews during his time in office. Although “intensely private,” Ed Koch is “combative, funny and blunt” in this documentary that depicts the major incidents during his time in office. Growing up in the Bronx, I remember quite well the many controversies that occurred when he was mayor. His catchphrase, “How am I doing?” was his signature question to people he met on the street, or he would stand by a subway entrance to see what his constituents thought of the job he was doing. This film, Koch, offers an honest portrait of the man, what he endured and how he took on his critics and allies alike. Ed Koch may have passed on, but his legacy lives forever as part of New York history.

“Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did for Love”: The notices for this documentary described Hamlisch as a “composer, conductor, genius, mensch,” who was “as close to a modern day DaVinci as it gets.” With hit after hit, including “The Way We Were,” “Nobody Does It Better,” The Sting and A Chorus Line, Marvin was irrepressible and prolific. His creative streak was staggering. So, what made a genius like that tick? What was his creative process? What struggles, inner turmoil and breakthroughs did Marvin endure to realize his triumphs? The film used Marvin’s personal archives and interviews and comments from his classmates, contemporaries and colleagues to capture the essence and personality of this musical genius. This story about this extraordinary man was also featured on television’s American Masters series.

There are too many excellent documentaries to possibly cover, so readers should seek out some they come across even if there is only a mild interest in the subject matter. It is amazing how a good storyteller and fantastic photography can open a new world of intellectual discoveries. There is a perfect quote by a famous documentary film maker, Albert Maysles that says it all.  “Documentaries are not diversion but engagement. We’re not trying to move you away from life, but closer to it.” 

If you recognize his name, you might know it from the 2006 documentary he made with his brother about Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis’ relatives, including her cousins. The documentary was The Beales of Grey Gardens, which was about the eccentric Edith, “Little Edie” Bouvier Beale, and her mother, Edith Bouvier Beale. It was directed by Albert and David Maysles, who also appeared in the film. This truly captivating film followed the mother-daughter pair as they lived in their run-down, decrepit house, Grey Gardens, in East Hampton, New York. Following the original documentary by the Maysles brothers, a remake was made in 2009 starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange that was an equally compelling look into the lives of these two eccentric people. Both versions are worth seeing.