"I Play Rocky" wins Virginia Film Festival audience award ahead of November release
Peter Farrelly's "I Play Rocky" won the narrative feature audience award at the 39th Virginia Film Festival; coverage also profiles its lead, Anthony Ippolito, who plays Sylvester Stallone, and notes awards-season buzz.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
Left · 1Peter Farrelly's "I Play Rocky" won the narrative feature audience award at the Virginia Film Festival in Charlottesville, according to IndieWire. IndieWireLC “led by Peter Farrelly’s “I Play Rocky” in the narrative feature category.” Read at IndieWire ↗ Left · 1The festival, in its 39th year, drew more than 26,600 attendees, screened 134 features from Wednesday to Sunday and hosted more than 120 industry guests, IndieWire reported. IndieWireLC “drew in more than 26,600 attendees, with 134 features screened Wednesday through Sunday, and more than 120 industry guests.” Read at IndieWire ↗ Left · 1The other audience awards went to the documentary feature "Admission Possible", the narrative short "Getar Hero" and the documentary short "Sarah Ann Kelley: Becoming Visible". IndieWireLC “Narrative Feature: “I Play Rocky”Documentary Feature: “Admission Possible”Narrative Short: “Getar Hero”Documentary Short: “Sarah Ann Kelley: Becoming Visible”” Read at IndieWire ↗
Left · 1The Amazon MGM film was first runner-up for the Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award, behind Netflix's "La Bola Negra". IndieWire said it should not be underestimated as a Best Picture contender. IndieWireLC “Amazon MGM’s “I Play Rocky” was the first runner-up for the Toronto International Film Festival People’s Choice Award this year, behind Netflix’s “La Bola Negra.”” Read at IndieWire ↗ Left · 2The film stars Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone during the making of the 1977 Best Picture winner "Rocky", with Tracy Letts as a United Artists studio head; it opens in select US theaters on 6 November and widely on 20 November. IndieWireLC “It opens in select theaters November 6 ahead of a November 20 Thanksgiving-adjacent wide release.” Read at IndieWire ↗ The GuardianLC “His name is Anthony Ippolito and he’s playing Sly Stallone himself in Peter Farrelly’s rousing, making-of movie I Play Rocky.” Read at The Guardian ↗ Left · 1The Guardian profiled Ippolito, 27, who it says sent unsolicited self-taped auditions for years; Farrelly told the paper Ippolito was the first person he and the producers looked at for the part. The GuardianLC “according to Farrelly, Ippolito was the first person he and the film’s producers looked at for the part.” Read at The Guardian ↗
Left · 1The Guardian says the film depicts Stallone's lean years, including working in a fishmonger's, appearing in an adult movie, selling his dog and turning down $300,000 to keep the lead role in "Rocky". Ippolito said Stallone has been in touch and reacted positively. The GuardianLC “Stallone turned down $300,000, the equivalent of almost $2m today.”““He had a positive reaction and I’m very grateful” Read at The Guardian ↗ Left · 1The Guardian reports that Ippolito's performance is being talked up for a best actor nomination. The GuardianLC “his Stallone performance is being talked up for a best actor nomination” Read at The Guardian ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left2 outlets
- Framing
- IndieWire reports the award as festival news and an Oscar-race signal; The Guardian runs an underdog profile of Ippolito and the film.
- Emphasis
- Audience reception, awards prospects, Ippolito's transformation and Stallone's early struggles.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither outlet reports critical reviews beyond praise; The Guardian does not mention the Virginia award.
- Charged language
- “star-making performance”“rousing”
- For example
-
“Anthony Ippolito gives a star-making performance as Sylvester Stallone” — IndieWire
“Peter Farrelly’s rousing, making-of movie I Play Rocky.” — The Guardian
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- I Play Rocky is directed by Peter Farrelly, with Anthony Ippolito playing Sylvester Stallone.
- Both outlets describe strong audience response and awards-season buzz.
Anthony Ippolito person
Ippolito says he is grateful for Stallone's positive reaction and calls the film a love letter to what Stallone persevered through.
“this is, in a lot of ways, a love letter to what he persevered through.” — The Guardian
Peter Farrelly person
Farrelly, the director, says Ippolito was the first person considered for the role.
“according to Farrelly, Ippolito was the first person he and the film’s producers looked at for the part.” — The Guardian
Left2 articles
-
Celebratory Festival wrap-up announcing audience award winners and positioning the film as an Oscar contender.
-
Sympathetic Underdog-themed interview profile of Ippolito and the making of the film.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 27 Oct 17:00 First IndieWireLC ‘I Play Rocky’ Wins Virginia Film Fest Audience Award as Peter Farrelly’s Stallone Drama Readies for Theaters
- 29 Oct 05:00 +36h The GuardianLC How did a fishmonger who starred in an adult movie make Rocky? The film about Sylvester Stallone’s amazing triumph
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
Ask about this story
Loading…