Sly

Sly documentary Movie Review Rating:

Star Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Quentin Tarantino, Jennifer Flavin, John Herzfeld, Wesley Morris, Talia Shire, Frank Stallone, Scarlet Rose Stallone, Sistine Rose Stallone, Sophia Rose Stallone, Henry Winkler

Director: Thom Zimny

Language: English

Available On: Netflix

Runtime: 1h 35m

User Rating:

Sly documentary Review: What’s It About?

In Thom Zimny’s compelling documentary, we delve deep into the life and career of Sylvester Stallone. “Sly,” as directed by Zimny, offers a fascinating exploration of Stallone‘s journey of self-transformation, which ultimately led to the creation of iconic characters such as “Rocky”, “Rambo” and others. Unlike many actors, Stallone’s career has been inextricably linked to the embodiment of action heroes, making his story truly unique.

Sly documentary Review: What’s Good?

The film opens with a reflective 77-year-old Stallone, contemplating the swift passage of time, accompanied by an energetic soundtrack from Gang of Four’s “To Hell with Poverty.” Produced in collaboration with Stallone’s own company, Balboa Productions, “Sly” does not aim to expose but rather sheds light on his upbringing as the son of an abusive father and his early life in the tumultuous Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, marked by a series of relocations.

Stallone had difficulties in the 1970s as a result of widespread misconceptions about his voice and looks. In a bold move, Stallone took charge of his destiny by diving headfirst into screenwriting as a means to conquer the obstacles he faced. His unwavering determination bore fruit when his creation, “Rocky (1976)”, not only became a box office sensation but also clinched the highly prestigious Academy Award for Best Picture, beating out heavyweight contenders like “Taxi Driver,” “All the President’s Men” and “Network”. It was a knockout victory that left the competition in the dust.