Rocky is a film series that tells the story of an underdog boxer who rises from the pit of poverty into a life of wealth. Only striving for what is earned out of life, Rocky struggles throughout the film series trying to achieve a sense of happiness through his best efforts. In the sixth film, some of the struggles he undergoes is the abandonment of his son and losing his wife to cancer; leading him to believe he’s failed the ones closest to him. Looking for a sense of completion, Rocky attempts to renew his boxing license with The Pennsylvania Athletic Commission. They subject him to a series of physical tests to deem him fit for any boxing activity. After completing the test, he stands before the Athletic Commission to hear the verdict of …show more content…
My mindset changed after I flipped through the T.V. one day and came across Rocky’s speech, “You have no right to deny happiness.” I realized the “Rocky” series was about a person’s struggle rather than their career. I became so drawn in by that fact that I finished the movie and later rented the entire series to watch. Rocky’s speech reflected a familiar unworthy feeling I’ve had before. I felt when I tried to achieve a goal only to be shown my efforts were futile. With that, I shared this connection with Rocky’s pitfalls. When Rocky is denied, it’s not because he didn’t pass his tests, he’s denied because the commission doesn’t approve of his character. For the commission, Rocky isn’t worthy, his speech is considerably below average, and he’s just a boxer who continued to come to be lucky because of his large size. Meanwhile, the audience who has been watching Rocky from the beginning of the film (or the film series), knows Rocky is the type of person who works hard for what he has. The audience knows Rocky isn’t just a fighter on the surface, but one at the core of his
The theme of hopelessness is proven through poverty statistics during the time the story is taking place. But the film’s overall purpose provides proof as to what drives Chris Gardner to pursue happiness through dreams and determination. With the aid of visual cinematography and setting context the logos of the film is uncomplicated and artistically arranged to convince an audience of the situations they witness in the film. Themes in a film differentiate depending upon whether the plot of the film had shifted to reached its climax and while the themes may differentiate, most films all incorporate the use of pathos, logos, and ethos in various ways. A great example of the use of these three principles is The Pursuit of Happyness as it
Rocky Balboa is an important cultural figure. His story is that of the ultimate underdog. He is a small-time boxer who only makes about $40 every two weeks, if he wins, from boxing until he gets a chance to face Apollo Creed for the heavy weight championship. No one expects him to win; in fact, Creed and his people think of it as more of an exhibition match than a serious match. Rocky himself admits that he knows he’s not going to win the championship and only wishes to “go the distance.” (Avildsen). Statements like the previous are very important in realizing how Rocky has formed his identity and how it changes depending on his surroundings. Using Michael Hecht’s definition of identity, “the multilayered ways that individuals […] socially construct themselves” (Hecht and
All of these factors play a large role in Braddock’s decision when he is given a once in a lifetime chance of returning to the boxing world, if only for one more fight. Braddock rises to the occasion, despite his own health. The lesson that one can take from Braddock is to never give up and be relentless in ensuring a better future. Braddock never let his injuries stop him from bringing home a few measly dollars for his family. Even when his life is on the line, Braddock smiles and promises endless happy tomorrows to his children.
Rocky (1976) by Sylvester Stallone is a movie that shows the story of Rocky Balboa, an American-Italian small-time boxer from Philadelphia. At the beginning of the movie the audience can see that Rocky is an underdog who earns his living by collecting debts for a loan shark named Gazzo and fighting once in awhile for money in a church. Mickey, Rocky’s ex-trainer thinks that Rocky has the potential to become a great boxer but his lack of willpower and inspiration have not allowed Rocky to succeed. Rocky is in love with Adrian, his best friend's sister. Adrian works in a pet store, she is extremely shy and every time that Rocky tries to make conversation with her he fails. Paul, Adrian’s brother, invites Rocky to spend Thanksgiving with them
I am writing a film review on the 1976, classic movie Rocky. In this review I will explore the main character Rocky, along with secondary characters Adrian, Pauley, and Mick. I will compare Rocky’s self-concept and self-esteem to the secondary characters. Identify whether the characters are nourishing or noxious individuals. Finally, we will describe how the main character is perceived by other characters.
Society becomes so rationalized that one must push himself to the extreme in order to feel anything or accomplish anything. The more you fight in the fight club, the tougher and stronger you become. Getting into a fight tests who you are. No one helps you, so you are forced to see your weaknesses. The film celebrates self-destruction and the idea that being on the edge allows you to be beaten because nothing really matters in your life.
Being a professional boxer didn’t do much for his mental health because he says he would feel on top of the world and yet so lonely at the same time after a fight. Therefore, he suffered not only the physical demands, but the mental demands in the professional arena of the sport.
If you went off on a quest would you come back a changed person? “The Hero’s Journey isn’t just a pattern from myth. It’s the pattern of life, growth, and experience for all of us”(Harris and Thompson 49). Charles Portis is the author of True Grit, a western novel that takes place through the Indian Territory in Arkansas. In the novel True Grit, the character Mattie Ross, shows an interesting example of “The Hero’s Journey.” As we read we learn she is very outspoken and strong willed, she always wants things to be her way. Mattie shows us a great example of being very independent at the age of fourteen, but after her journey does she truly change as a person?
In contrast to Aristotle, Roko Belic’s documentary “Happy” provides a fresh perspective that takes place far more recently. The film sets out to similar goals of Aristotle in defining the nature of happiness and exploring what makes different people happy in general. Unlike Aristotle, however, the film’s main argument refers to makes people happier. In this case, the film argues that merely “doing what you love” is what leads to happiness (Belic). The argument itself appears oddly self-serving, considering that message is what underlines the foundation of happiness, yet there is a subliminal message that a simpler lifestyle is what leads to what the film is trying to convince you of. The message itself is obviously addressed to Americans, considering
Happiness plays an important and necessary role in the lives of people around the world. In America, happiness has been engrained in our national consciousness since Thomas Jefferson penned these famous words in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Jefferson). Since then, Americans have been engaged in that act: pursuing happiness. The problem however, as Ray Bradbury demonstrates in his novel Fahrenheit 451, is that those things which make us happy initially may eventually lead to our downfall. By examining Guy Montag, the protagonist in Fahrenheit 451, and the world he lives in we can gain valuable insights to direct us in our own pursuit of happiness. From Montag and other characters we will learn how physical, emotional, and spiritual happiness can drastically affect our lives. We must ask ourselves what our lives, words, and actions are worth. We should hope that our words are not meaningless, “as wind in dried grass” (Eliot).
Happy is a documentary that brings to light the different types of livings of people around the world and contrasts how they define happiness. The movie starts out in Kolkata Slum, India, with a man Manoj Singh. Manoj is living a relatively impoverished life. His house isn’t the best, in fact the roof is just a tarp however he says “my home is good.” Manoj is quite happy with his life and it’s not because of his minimal possessions but the community around him. His happiness lies in the fact that he can see his son smiling every day and he is so grateful for his neighbors and friends. He even states himself that he doesn’t consider himself as “poor but the richest person.” Manoj’s happiness is described as the same as the average American.
One might look at boxing movies as somewhat of a utopia because often times winning means having it all- titles, money, fame, but the underlying struggle within the fight shows the dystopia related to the difficulty of the battle itself. One boxing movie in particular, Southpaw, demonstrates how boxer Billy Hope seemingly lives in utopia as a champion in his career , along with having a loving
At heart Fight Club is really a dark parody about consumerist discontent. First of all Fight Club was one of the most direct depictions of modern society. We can visualize the clear criticisms of the movie from the words of Jamey Hughton, “ ‘Fight Club’ is the kind of breathless experience that chews you up, spits you out, and leaves your senses jaded and disorientated with exhilaration.” Secondly, Fight Club was a real evolution of the modern ideals, the emergence of modern atomized individuals and consequently urban alienation. Finally, the movie points out male-female roles and the place of violence in the male identity. Critic, Gary Crowdus, says it best by writing, “Fight Club members have become so physically impassive, so emotionally anesthetized, and so spiritually numb, that it takes a broken nose, a split lip, or a few cracked ribs to reawaken their deadened nervous systems and to provide them with a meaningful sense of male identity” (46).
The narrator is changed by his experience with fight club; his life becomes all about fight club. Fight club becomes the reason for the narrators existence. The narrator experiences a shift in consciousness; in that, he is able to understand more of who he is and what really matters in life through fight clubs trial by fire. Through battle and a mindset of counterculture and a complete expulsion of ...
Happiness is how something is viewed as opposed to a physical thing. However, happiness is not only a perspective but also a choice. Success and happiness are frequently linked to contentment but happiness should not be dependent on success. In spite of not succeeding in my chosen sport of horse riding the enjoyment it provided for me far outweighed any d...