Toronto has a habit of launching films that go far beyond the city limits. Eight years ago, Peter Farrelly’s Green Book premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, polarized critics but delighted festivalgoers, and walked away with the TIFF audience award before winning the best picture Oscar. Now Farrelly is back with I Play Rocky, a film about the making of the original Rocky, and it looks ready to repeat that pattern.
The movie follows Anthony Ippolito, a 27-year-old actor who plays Sylvester Stallone in a story about the man’s rise to fame. Ippolito’s performance has been singled out for praise, and the film’s reception at TIFF suggests it has a shot at Oscar recognition. The question hanging over it is whether Stallone himself will bless it — or curse it.
Rocky’s Long Shadow Over TIFF
The comparison to Rocky is direct. Fifty years ago, John G. Avildsen’s film about a small-time boxer who takes on the champ became a massive hit, beating out All the President’s Men, Network and Taxi Driver for the best picture Oscar. The story was written by and starred Sylvester Stallone, a man who made the part his own and turned it into one of the most famous roles in cinema history.
Farrelly’s I Play Rocky tells the story of how that film came to be. It covers the inspiration behind the character, the people who brought it to life, and the circumstances that made it possible. The film premiered at TIFF on Saturday night.
A Standing Ovation for Ippolito
The screening drew a standing ovation at the end, and there were numerous instances of mid-film applause throughout the runtime. That kind of reaction is rare at a festival premiere, and it suggests the audience connected with the material. The film also polarized critics, much like Green Book did eight years earlier, but the people who mattered most — the festivalgoers — clearly enjoyed it.
Ippolito’s performance is central to the film’s appeal. He channels Stallone’s unconventional appearance and manner of speaking, and the story of his path to the role has many rooting for him as much as for the character he plays. The parallels to Stallone’s own career are hard to miss.
The Oscar Race Is Wide Open
The film is set to begin rolling out in the U.S. on Nov. 6, courtesy of Amazon and MGM. That timing could give I Play Rocky a leg up in the best picture category, though the source offers no details on other fall releases. Anthony Ippolito is a relative unknown, and his breakout performance could catapult him into the thick of a crowded best actor Oscar race. The film’s success at TIFF has already put him on the radar of Academy voters, and a strong rollout could cement his position.
Stallone’s Stake in the Story
The biggest hazard for I Play Rocky is Stallone himself. The film is not directly involved with the original property, and it appears that Stallone will not financially benefit from it. That matters because Stallone has a history of wanting a cut of anything Rocky-related.
In 2022, Stallone publicly blasted Irwin Winkler, one of the two producers of the original Rocky, for not giving him an equity stake in the franchise. Winkler helped give Stallone his big break, and the feud was a public spectacle. The film deals with that history indirectly, portraying Winkler and the other producer, Robert Chartoff, sympathetically. Chartoff died in 2015, and his widow was at the premiere.
The real Winkler, now 95, makes a cameo in the film, and both Winkler and Chartoff’s widow seem happy with the project. That is a relief for the filmmakers, who could have faced a backlash if the producers felt slighted. But Stallone himself remains the wild card.
Farrelly’s Statement From the Stage
During remarks from the TIFF stage just before the film unspooled, Farrelly gave a shout out to Stallone. Farrelly had also shown Stallone the finished film, and Stallone was pleased with it. Ippolito said he had spoken with Stallone before playing him. Stallone’s reaction to the finished product was positive, but his public stance remains unknown.
If Stallone publicly lashed out against I Play Rocky, it could hurt its Oscar prospects badly. The film would arrive at awards season with a cloud hanging over it, and voters might hesitate to support something that has been criticized by the man whose story it tells. On the other hand, if Stallone publicly championed the film, it could help its chances immensely.
Stallone has reason to be happy about the film. Written by Peter Gamble, it is essentially a celebration of his smarts, tenacity and talent. It also prints the legend about the origin of Rocky that Stallone has been repeating for the past half-century, though not all of it stands up to close scrutiny.
The Talent Behind the Camera
The film boasts a strong ensemble beyond Ippolito. AnnaSophia Robb plays Stallone’s first wife, Tracy Letters plays the head of United Artists, and Jay Duplass plays Avildsen. The supporting cast gives the film depth, and their performances are described as strong.
The technical team is also notable. Sean Porter, who also shot Green Book, handles the cinematography. Production designer Anthony Gasparro, makeup artist Jackie Risotto and hairstylist Nakoya Yancey round out the crew. Their contributions help create the period feel of the story.
The Road Ahead
The film’s journey from TIFF to Oscar nomination is not guaranteed. The standing ovation, the mid-film applause and the positive reception are the latest signs of the film’s momentum. Whether those signs carry it to a nomination or a win remains to be seen.
For now, the film has the momentum of a story told at the festival where it launched. It captures a moment in film history, and it does so with a fresh perspective. The fact that it premiered at TIFF, the same festival where Green Book launched its own Oscar run, is a connection the film shares with its predecessor.
The film’s reception at TIFF suggests it will follow in the footsteps of Rocky and Green Book. Whether it reaches the same heights at the Oscars depends on a man who has spent decades insisting he deserves credit for everything that bears his name.
The Oscar race is wide open, and I Play Rocky has a chance to be part of it. The film has already captured attention in Toronto, and the rest of the country will see for themselves soon enough.
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| TIFF premiere of I Play Rocky | Saturday night |
| U.S. rollout begins | Nov. 6 |
Cast and Crew
- Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone
- AnnaSophia Robb as Stallone’s first wife
- Tracy Letters as head of United Artists
- Jay Duplass as John G. Avildsen
- Sean Porter — cinematography
- Anthony Gasparro — production design
- Jackie Risotto — makeup
- Nakoya Yancey — hair
The film’s wind is at its back. It has a strong lead performance, a compelling story and a track record of success at TIFF. The only question is whether Stallone will let it happen.
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