THE REAL ROCKY

A Video Review of "Somebody Up There Likes Me"

Copyright 2003 Glenn Walker

If you've never seen The Hustler, Cool Hand Luke or Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and have no idea just how amazing Paul Newman really is or was this 1956 film is a terrific place to start. It's early Paul Newman and it's near perfect.

Paul Newman plays prizefighter Rocky Graziano on his rise to the top from the slums to the boxing ring. Somebody Up There Likes Me is based on Graziano's own autobiography and directed by the masterful Robert Wise.

Newman does a decent James Dean imitation early on until that winning smile makes the performance his own. Harold Stone is also remarkable as Graziano's dad.

This film makes Sylvester Stallone's Rocky pale in comparison. Check out a real champ that should definitely be seen more.