The Story of the Italian Stallion started as a great movie by Sylvester Stallone, and became a huge sensation, with it spawning a 6 movie series. (We won’t mention Michael B. Jordan’s narcissism) The movie is more about the sport of Boxing, but the story of a man who is not as smart as others around him, but has a big heart, and works to marry the girl of his dreams, and fight against powerful foes, such as Apollo Creed, and the evil Ivan Draco.
In the sixth movie, we see the story concluding with Rocky meeting with all the surviving characters, and helping them move forward in their story, as Rocky confronts the good, the bad and the ugly of his life, working to make peace with all those around him. But then why would he do that? There has to be a reason, and Sly isn’t the kind of director that does something for nothing. Look at how Rambo breaks down at the end of his movie. But in the sixth movie, I do wonder about something that is going on in this movie, that seems surreal and that would fit Sly’s style of writing and directing.
The movie starts with the cheers and a slideshow of events from previous movies, then a boxing match with Mason Dixon, who wins his match of the world Heavyweight championships, and it is noted that he has beaten all his opponents, and that there is no longer anyone that could match him, leaving him dissatisfied.
When we arrive in the city, we cut to Rocky’s room, where he wakes up, and feeds his turtles who have grown, and he leaves his home and does some exercises, and goes to visit the grave of Adrien. He is busy sitting looking at it, in dark clothing and in shadows, where he sees Paulie, and throws his chair in the tree. It wasn’t just seeing Paulie, but it was as if he was waiting for him. Rocky then comments on how “time goes by too fast”, and Paulie replies with “Not fast enough.”
The first question we should ask is, why put the chair in the tree? An empty chair is a symbol in many cultures of an absent ancestor in many cultures. But we have to also add that there is another symbol here, as we have to consider that Rocky is a catholic. According to some, it can mean loss, or hope of a return. Also according to some Catholics, the empty chair has a connection to Jesus Christ being with the person. But to add the tree, which in the bible it can be a serene symbol of life and knowledge. Odd that someone as slow as Rocky, would be associated with this theme. Another source would say that trees represent the will to “inspire, and express our deepest feelings of love, gratitude, protection and happiness.” I think we need to keep this in mind as we move forward and analyze this movie, in order to explore my thoughts and the conclusion that I found the last time I watched the movie.
We have a discussion between Rocky and Paulie about Junior not visiting Adrien’s grave, with Paulie’s displeasure being dismissed by Rocky, and saying that Robert is busy. It’s as though his focus is not on him at the moment. Also interesting that they are both wearing black, the colour of grief. The cemetery is all bright and white, safe for the trees. It seems like they are walking away from a portal of light in the background. I would also say, to pay attention to these two colours: white and black, and keep an eye on lights and darkness. It is the anniversary of Adrien’s death, and Paulie is annoyed that he took time off to take a tour of Rocky and Adrien’s life together, which has been a way the two have celebrated for the past three years. And the way Rocky turns and waves in the direction of the cemetery, to head to a white van… It’s like he is saying “I’ll be back soon.”
What seems odd, is that the next scene is at Robert’s workplace, and Rocky is observing a scene where Robert is scolded by his boss through a window, as if he were watching from some other place, and he isn’t impressed at his son being treated in such a way. When Rocky waves over his son, he asks for coffee, but Robert just says he’s busy, and his entire schedule is filled. When Robert rebuffs the offer for coffee, Rocky gets direct with what he wants to ask, is if he did something to upset his son, but the reply was that Rocky left a big shadow. But as Rocky wishes to have a conversation, he officially meets Robert’s boss, which annoys both father and son. Rocky went to meet his son, not some fanboy that was shouting at his family. Robert decides to make time, but when Rocky tells his son not to let all the numbers fill his head, and that he needs to use an eraser to clean some of it up, it is really a form of wisdom and analogy that he used throughout his movies. Robert is so stuck in the rat race, that he comments “Too late.” All we see is hustle and bustle, and we can probably assume that all the people, including the boss, is what is really in Robert’s head, and the father wants his son to focus on what’s important, and not get lost in all the mental noise and pollution. The scene ends with Rocky moving forward, and then Robert moving up the escalator, and turning back to look down, where we see Rocky meeting other fans, and looking up, waving at Robert. We can see that Robert takes a good look at his father, as if he wants to imprint his father in his mind, seeing the wise and kindhearted father that worked hard to look after his family.
Next we see Rocky in the marketplace, buying things left and right, trying to taste as much as he can, as if he wishes to enjoy as many things as possible, even offering to share it with the people around him. One interesting item that he sees that he agrees to buy is a fish. There is a figure in a particular book that is strongly associated with fish. This is the second symbolic reference to Jesus, and we still see white and black, with most people wearing white, and these people are often smiling. Those who wear black are often distracted, or they look depressed.
He then arrives at the restaurant he owns named after his wife, Adrian. When he enters, there is his waitress Isabelle that is exhausted and tired, like she is uninterested in her work, and commenting that there’s an African American reading the Bible, which ten minutes into the movie, and we’ve already seen three references to Jesus and the Bible. Rocky reassures her that he’s all right being there, but she comments on how he can’t keep getting free meals, and that he doesn’t look like a fighter, which Rocky strongly disagrees with. Again she is wearing black, and seems to have a cynical response to everything he says. Putting together the Biblical references, we have 3 references, then a denial of doing the right thing, similar to Peter in the Bible. He then gives some advice to her about her pregnancy, telling her to rub her belly when she can, and then her child will end up strong, which gives her a smile. It’s as if he can tell how things will go when she gives birth, and that she shouldn’t take things too hard, telling her that she needs to care for her child. He then moves past the African American sitting there, asking him how he is doing, and the man responds with a “God Bless you, Rocky.” Upon this recent viewing and analysis, I didn’t realize how biblical this movie is.
After going into the kitchen and changing jackets, we have the first scene with vivid colours coming from the fruits and vegetables, which is there to feed his guests. We see him return to the dining area, and he is busy regaling old stories of him in the ring to some of his patrons, and with his palms held out, similar to the painting of “The Last Supper.” After he finishes the story, the others toasts, but he doesn’t drink. Why’s that? He isn’t holding a glass of wine, and the others tip their glasses. And red wine, which is yet again a reference to the Bible, about how it is the “Blood of Christ”, poured for the forgiveness of sin.
Following this, we see Mason Dixon in his car, and his eyes look dead. He is also in the shadows this entire time, which shows that he has no direction. He is the best, but he no longer understands what that means. He was once passionate about the sport, but now… It does nothing for him.
But the saddest part is that Rocky receives a call from his son saying he can’t make the tour that Rocky is giving Paulie. The first stop is at the pet shop he met Adrien at, with flashbacks being done in a blue light, which can represent his strength and inner peace, things he found when Adrien was around him. She always reminded him of what was important, and she was his inner strength, even at his worst, like in Rocky 4, when he was in the cold harsh land in Russia. He greets a stone dedicated to Mick, Rocky’s first trainer and mentor. He was a crude and gritty man, who was a hilarious origin to that plucky trainer in boxing stories. We don’t need to mention John the Baptist in this comparison, who died for him.
We then have a conversation between Rocky and Paulie, and Rocky is looking up, and answers Paulie about how there’s a lot more good in the world, than the broken down Paulie, who is going with Rocky, thinking that Rocky needs support, but we can wonder about who needs support. We have Rocky going to this old apartment, with Rocky telling Paulie about Adrien, and he constantly asks Rocky if he’s done. During this interaction, he is always seen higher than Paulie, or in a light, bringing in some brightness around the area.
And when Paulie comments on how he is happy the ice rink got torn apart, we have the van directly behind Rocky, with the light blurring his face, and surrounding his entire being, and around that, it is nothing but black and shadows. Paulie comments that people who stand on ice are stupid, and Rocky ignores this. I don’t need to tell you about which story in the Bible this is alluding to. Rocky is reminiscing, with Paulie, constantly behind him, shouting on how Rocky said the exact same thing the previous years, not listening to what Rocky is saying.
Paulie starts an argument, accusing Rocky of living backwards, and how the past doesn’t matter, and isn’t good. Rocky argues back that the past was good to him. This tells us a lot more about Rocky’s situation, and yet again, he is seen in the light, with Paulie surrounded by darker elements. One can ask, who the tour really is for: Rocky, or Paulie. I think it’s more for Paulie because he’s having a harder time making peace with his memory of his sister, and the regrets he is living with. He constantly is trying to tell Rocky that the ritualistic tour is over, accusing Rocky of living a good life, but he lives with shit, and that he doesn’t need to live with it. Rocky responds with how Adrien always did love her brother, and he walks off saying he can’t do the trip anymore, as if a part of him is dead. Rocky looks at him with pity, walking once more towards the light, with Paulie passing through a pathway that leads into a dark place.
When he enters the arcade, no one notices him, as if he’s invisible, only for the waitress who asks him what he would like, with him answering that he’s been there regularly when he was younger. She then offers him a drink, which he accepts. The woman actually is the one girl, Marie, from the first Rocky movie who told him “Screw you, Creepo.” She didn’t really play a role in any of the movies, but she gives her condolences about Adrien. She confesses that she has stopped smoking and turned her life around, feeling bad for the way she treated him all those years prior. He escorts Marie to the van to bring her home, but they are heckled by some teenagers. She is distressed, as she does concern herself over what others think. Rocky goes and the light surrounds him, as he scolds the teenagers, ordering them to get a job. He then returns to the truck, and the music has a rather sad and melancholic air to it.
As he escorts her, he moves towards a streetlight, as he’s telling Marie about the history of the neighbourhood, as he is introduced to Marie’s son, Steps, short for Steven. He is half-Jamaican, which Rocky clumsily mistakes for European, in his usual way. As Steps approaches Marie, he is seen coming from the darkness, and after declining initially, again, Rocky steps away from the light. I know I’ve mentioned the poem related to “Footsteps in the Sand”, in which the footsteps that are alone are the ones that God carried the person reading the poem, which is an interesting choice that Sly would make for this character. He leaves them, leaving a ticket for free food at his restaurant, a generous act for them, a kindness that confuses Steps. Rocky is easily willing to share the food he gives to those he cares for, and leaves the card on the steps for Steps to reach, which can imply that Steps has a long way to go, in order to grow up and be something more than what he has chosen. Later, they decide to join him at the restaurant, with open arms, being fed by the fruits that Rocky offers them.
We then see the simulation. Earlier, Mason Dixon was lectured on how he will find someone that will pull him out of his slump, and he is seen playing basketball alone, only to be called inside. In the meantime, Robert is with his business friends, watching it. The sportscasters debate about who would win between Mason Dixon and Rocky in his prime, which has different responses from the two young men. Mason Dixon is angry that the simulation and the newscasters say that Rocky would win, with Robert feeling very awkward about the situation. A part of it pride, a part of it embarrassment that he thinks he can’t measure up. It’s important to note that Rocky is not around, and it could be his call to both of them to step up, and a call to action for both of them.
Rocky brings both Marie and Steps home, and reveals that he has a new lightbulb, and changes it revealing a very bright light that blinds both him and Marie, and he asks her why someone should feel owed something to get something. As he steps down, Marie’s face is full of light, as though he is an extremely bright being that is hard to look upon, but is an agent of good and wisdom, and offers Steps a job. As he steps into his van, he comments “Little Marie, Let there be light!” Which makes her giggle. He says it in a half-joking manner, but it can be seen as a reminder that there is always something worth living for.
Rocky’s first lesson to Steps is to bring him to a dog pound, which the boy gravitates to a younger puppy, but Rocky tries to introduce him to an older dog, who isn’t using a lot of energy. Steps comments on how the dog is dead, and doesn’t do much. Rocky then tells him that the dog can improve and start living a lot more with some good food and some new friends, and that it’s a lot easier than just dismissing the dog as old. Rocky then turns to Steps and tells him to give the dog a name, which Rocky insists that all men need to name an animal at some point in their lives, particularly dogs. Steps first brings up the name “Fleabag”, which Rocky scolds him over it, telling him to try again, which the boy says the first name that comes to mind, which is “Punchie”. Steps starts to smile, and with an exchange, they leave the pound, towards the light outside the door. Interesting how Rocky always steps towards the light when someone is smiling. Steps is next seen at the restaurant, looking over Rocky’s pictures, trophy belts, and his life’s work, and seems inspired by the life Rocky has lived.
But it is suddenly cut by Paulie arriving at the restaurant, with Isabelle muttering in Spanish, annoyed by Paulie’s presence. Paulie is introduced to Steps, and judges him, saying he’s a criminal. He judges Isabelle for being Mexican, not liking that Mexicans are cooking Italian food. He judges Punchie for being an ugly dog. Paulie turns the channel to the simulation, saying that it first showed up a week prior. Rocky is inspired, but he does look rather sad, as if pitying Mason Dixon, and as much as he likes the fight, he wants to have one last shot in the ring.
Robert is next seen walking down the street, when he is suddenly called by Rocky and asks him what he is doing out so late. Rocky has a circle of light behind him, and it looks like Rocky stepped out of the light, yet again. He then asks for Robert’s blessings to go have a boxing match, Robert asks out of concern regarding Rocky’s age, and for good reason. After his fight with Draco, Rocky had long term injuries that would cripple him and force him to leave boxing. He tells his son that his age shouldn’t stop him from experiencing things, which Robert shows concern if his father is not making a dumb mistake. And Rocky responds with another biblical reference. When Robert says that people might judge Rocky and say he is insane, Rocky responds with “What’s crazy about standing toe to toe with saying “I am”, you know?” “I am” is often referred to as the real name of God. “I am”. “Je suis”. This is tapping into the inner spirit, the God within oneself that makes us keep on going.
Robert comments on how it is a different world than in Rocky’s old days, when Rocky was Robert’s age, but all Rocky responds with is that only the clothes are different, but that the struggles are the same. Robert shows he cares, and that he wants his father to be safe, and not let his pride control him, which Rocky reassures that it isn’t about ego. He also is there to bond with his son and make things right. Robert promises to make more time with his father, which is something that Rocky is pleased with, with Robert wanting to cool down the mental noise, and be able to focus on what’s important, and not to be so ashamed of himself.
We then see Paulie has picked up painting as a passion, which seems quite contrary to what we see as the aggressive, judgemental blue collar Italian, seeing that there is something more, and he asks what Rocky thinks about it. But when Paulie makes a joke about money, Rocky looks sad, as though he wants to say something, but thinks it isn’t the right time to say it. It’s as if he knows that Paulie is miserable, and wants him to see the best in himself. When asked if he has peaked, Rocky misunderstands, and says there is still stuff in the basement. This confuses Paulie who asks what he means, and then Rocky responds by bringing up his hand and pointing to his chest, saying there’s still some things that he needs to do, and make peace with. Paulie asks if Rocky is angry, and when Paulie asks if it’s about Adrien leaving him, but then he bites back about how she died. Rocky is not in denial that she died, but by the conversation, and how Paulie says it, it seems like Paulie might be in denial himself, which frustrates our hero. Rocky confesses to Paulie, when his best friend asks, that it is hard every day and that he misses Adrien, but the way he talks about her, it’s like he isn’t ready to see her. He then asks Paulie if he’d like to join him in his training for his match with Mason, (no one aware that it’s the reason why he wants to train) and Paulie makes an excuse saying that he has to work. We can also note that in this scene, Paulie is wearing white, because he is helping Rocky confront what is holding him back, and help him let go of his pain. This is probably one of the only scenes with Paulie wearing white. He may be making excuses, saying he’s too old to try something new, as Rocky tells him goodbye.
The next scene is when Rocky is denied a boxing license by the board of directors for boxing, making him go through tests, with the idea that they already would deny him the license. He then gives a lecture about if they’ve got unresolved issues, that they wish to do before they no longer can, calling them out on making excuses for the sake of “their jobs”, and twisting the words of “pursuit of happiness” for their own financial gains. He lectures them about listening to their guts and to do the right thing, which normally is compromised for the sake of whatever they wish to gain from it, or if they are scared of rocking the boat.
The next day, Rocky goes to stop by the talk to Marie, offering her a job at his restaurant, and she relays that she doubts she could do it, and that there are thousands of other people who could do it better, but Rocky replies by asking how she came to that conclusion. He calls her out on her self-doubt, calling it crazy, and offers her the chance yet again to come work at his restaurant. He wants her to be well-taken care of, after having guided her son into improving himself, he is ready to help the mother confront her issues. He makes her laugh again, and the way he talks, it’s like he wants her to take care of the restaurant in his stead. And after she agrees, he nods to himself proudly, and walks off.
Paulie then is working, when he is given a letter, and he looks like something died. The scene shifts to him arriving into the restaurant, with a painting and a piece of meat, practically drunk. Rocky is waved over, and when asked about his injured eye, Paulie claims he retired, which is a lie, and Rocky calls him out on it. Paulie then slams his fist angry, and stops through the restaurant, and this leads to an often deleted scene, where Paulie and Rocky have a conversation about what is holding Paulie back. Paulie’s walking down a dark tunnel, which can represent his state of mind. This scene is better in the deleted scene, where Paulie walks out the back, and sits down, and starts crying about how he worked 31 years, and how he was fired. He cries about how he wants Adrien, and how he mistreated her. He misses her, and just breaks down. He bemoans at how he should have been the one to die instead of his sister, and how she should be happy with her husband and son. He admits that he feels that all he has left is Rocky, and comments on how he mistreats his best friend, which makes my theory even sadder in a way. Rocky approaches Paulie, who is sitting, confessing his sins in the light, and Rocky kneels down and takes Paulie’s hand to reassure him. Paulie is ashamed to see his girlfriend, and when Rocky asks what Paulie wants to do, he admits he wants to move in with Rocky, which he agrees without hesitation. His brother-in-law tells him he doesn’t want to be left alone, and that he doesn’t want to feel lonely, and that the only person that understands him and doesn’t judge him is Rocky. This is when the scene in the actual movie plays out, where Paulie reassures that Rocky will do well in the ring, because Rocky isn’t scared of confronting “what’s in the basement”, which seems to be what he’s doing.
It does seem, particularly in the next scene, that Rocky is asking everyone what going back in the ring and fighting means to them. Robert, Paulie, Marie… even Mason’s manager. And they give different answers, like he wants them to figure out what it means. Robert thought it was crazy when spoken out loud, Paulie seems to want to cling to Rocky, and the managers think it’s about money, which disappoints Rocky. Marie on the other hand tells Rocky how it’s about being true to oneself. He listens intently to each of them, and it helps figure out why he wants to fight Mason Dixon. This is when he decides what he needs to do. He needs to have one last fight with Mason Dixon.
This is when Duke shows up, and when everyone doubts Rocky, Duke does not question Rocky at all, like the concept of doubt is not a possibility. Robert on the other hand sees the interview on tv, through a window, which reflects the beginning when Rocky looked on when Robert was at his job. Rocky doesn’t say anything, and seems upset that the reporters are insulting Mason, who gives a passionate speech on how he doesn’t want to hurt Rocky, but he is still accepting the match. He doesn’t like that his popularity is put in question, and that they called Rocky a “has-been.” Rocky seems to reflect deeply on this moment, like he’s come to a bit of a realization quietly.
Robert then goes to the restaurant to talk with Rocky, and we also find Paulie has gotten a job, alongside Marie. Paulie admits that he is making connections and going to make money off of it, and Rocky accepts that. When asked if Rocky’s scared, he answers “Scared to Death.” Robert responds with concerns that he doesn’t have to fight, but Rocky stands his ground saying he has to go through with this fight. This is when Robert has his own freak out, where he blames Rocky for his problems, and that he only got where he got because of his father’s name, and that he is just an extension not to be taken seriously. This is when Rocky gives him a good verbal thrashing, saying Robert just blames a big shadow, and it is easy to give into that shadow. He then goes into his own philosophy on fighting, and how life is going to beat you down, and he lectures about how life is about how hard you can take a hit, then get back up, He calls Robert out on cowardice, and he tells his son that he is better than that. At this point, he tells Robert that so long as he keeps on this route, he won’t have a life, and tells him something that is a cold slap of reality. He tells Robert to visit his mother, something Robert hasn’t done in a long time.
And Robert listens. Rocky is at the cemetery, as if he was expecting Robert to show up, ready for a good talk, after his son did some thinking. Robert then realizes what he really wants. He then says he quit his job, and admits he wants to be with his Dad and wants to see his Dad in a fight. The hug they have is quite something, like Rocky is taking in the moment.
When Duke is lecturing Rocky about his situation, there is Paulie, Steps and Robert, all there to support him. Then you have the training montage, with Rocky always in the light. It is a shared montage with Mason Dixon, and you have the dog running alongside Rocky. A dog is a loyal creature that stays beside you. I can honestly say he is preparing the dog for an important responsibility as well in this montage. Rocky struggles, and needs the help of his family and friends, and works hard. Mason Dixon is also training properly, unlike what happened with Draco. Rocky works hard with the weights, and the burden that is on his shoulders, and at the end of the montage, it is filled with snow, and he ends at the same building that the montage in the first movie ended. This time though, he picks up Punchie, and raises his fist in success.
As the match is about to begin, Rocky is approached by Mason Dixon, who admits he doesn’t want to hurt Rocky, but his pride is wounded when Rocky tells him that he isn’t scared of the fight. He then asks Mason if he is scared, and if he is there to lose, and Mason denies both of them, like he isn’t ready to learn what Rocky wants to teach him. In the meantime Robert gets playful with his Dad, with both teasing each other.
Now we have Marie’s story coming to a close, when she hands him Adrien’s picture, and she supports Rocky in his fight, even kissing him.
And thus, we enter the ring. Before the match, Rocky is in the bathroom with the preacher from the beginning repeating a passage from the book of Zacharia “It is not by strength, not by might but by his spirit, we have already claimed the victory in our Lord Jesus Christ”. This is telling us that there is something else that is going to happen in the ring. In his heart, Rocky has already won, and this is a lesson that is needed to be imparted to the last person who needs to learn from Rocky, and that is Mason Dixon himself.
Paulie also tells Rocky that Rocky needs to let it all out, and to finish the fight with the beast. This tells us that Paulie has found a lot more peace, and is following Rocky to the ring, like the apostles follow Jesus wherever he goes. And it is funny how the announcers that mock Rocky, comment on how this is the last supper. Again with biblical elements to the movie. What is also interesting is that the older announcers treat him as if he’s past his prime, but the younger one is a very eager fan of Rocky, and has faith in him. The younger people love to respect a hero, and Rocky came from the streets, and his story is very well known, and the younger men respect, and idolize that. It gives them hope.
In the match, we see that all the people Rocky helped in the movie showed up to support him. Eventually, when we move through the matches, we see black white, with Red blood, and the blue jerseys from Mason’s side of the ring, as well as the yellow jerseys from Rocky’s side. It is like we entered another plane of existence at this point, as we know this is the last match for Rocky. It is like Rocky’s life is flashing before his eyes, but it seems more like he is in a meditative trance, similar to enlightenment, and he wants Mason Dixon to reach that spiritual state. He has also won over all those in the crowd, including those who mocked him, inspired by the match that unfolds before them. They remember what Boxing is all about, and when the last round starts, Mason tells Rocky that he’s “One crazy old man”, not out of snobbery, not out of ego, but out of respect. Another detail is that Rocky does not fight the same way he fought against Draco. Against the Russian, Rocky was trying to take him down. Mason on the other hand, Rocky wants to give him a baptism by fire, and pass the torch down to him.
And then, In a moment of self-reflection, he thinks out the words he told his son about taking hits, and getting back up, as if that was the lesson he tried to teach everyone around him. Robert, Paulie, Duke, Steps, Marie. Even Punchie. And now, finally we have Mason Dixon. As the bell rings, Rocky hugs Mason, telling him he’s a great champion, telling him to believe in himself, and for the first time, we see Mason Dixon looking full of life. Honestly, we should have had movies with him as the main character.
Rocky finishes with hugs to his son and Paulie, even Steps and Marie. The announcers have regretted their earlier words, and they all love the lessons Rocky taught them. Mason is announced the champion and he picks up the torch, to do what he will with it, and is likely to use it with honour. As if Jesus blessed Paul to spread the word.
The end scene is probably one of the most beautiful scenes of the movie, where Rocky is at the cemetery, at Adrien’s grave. He admits that he wouldn’t have made it this far if it wasn’t for her, and tells her “We did it.” One of the lines the two would use through the movie series. Then, as he moves to the back of the cemetery, he becomes blurry as the camera focuses on the roses, and his blurry figure then fades out in the background.
This last scene confirms my theory about this movie, and I dropped hints of it. Let me explain the cinematographic effect of this last scene. Rocky moves into the light in the back as the blur shines bright, as he fades as if he was no longer there. This has strong implications that Rocky already died in that scene. Many would say after the match, but I will disagree with that notion.
In this movie, Rocky is a spirit that isn’t ready to cross over, and he wants to make sure those he loves are ready for him to leave. It is why he welcomes all into his restaurant, giving them jobs and food for them to enjoy. The tour he made with Paulie, wasn’t so much about Rocky as it was about Paulie. He wanted Paulie to confront his issues with Adrien, his regrets, and to make peace with it, but he refused to accept it, until he was fired without reason. He wants to become an artist, but after losing his job, Rocky grants him a home, a dog to care for and a place to work, at Adrien's restaurant. To see Paulie break down and admit that he is upset and disappointed with himself was important for Paulie, and Rocky was worried that he would hurt himself if Paulie knew Rocky was dead.
He wanted Robert to learn what was important, and by focusing so much on work, Robert lost track of what was important, and got his head so wrapped up in work, he couldn’t admit that he felt inadequate. It is why when he quit and rejoined his father at the cemetery, Robert was smiling, and joined to work at the Restaurant as well.
Steps needed a good man to teach and guide him, and it may have been for a few weeks, but Rocky gave him a job, and a place at his table.
Marie learned that she couldn’t make excuses to prevent her from being the best person she can be, instead of self-flagellating. She finally learned how to do it.
Punchie was an old dog, stuck in a cage without hope. But by having Steps name him, Rocky adopted him and the dog bonded with them, and Punchie regained life and energy.
Duke was able to have one last shot, just as Rocky did, where he could get closure with Rocky and Boxing.
And Mason Dixon, probably the most important student, learned that he needs to have inner peace to truly become the Heavyweight champion.
These were all the people that needed Rocky, and it wasn’t until they were ready, that Rocky felt he could pass on. There were moments in the movie where it felt like Rocky was in two places at once, and it seemed very spiritual. When confronted with ill intents and negative thoughts, he looked at the people with pity and sadness, and without judgment, like he felt he needed to help, and even reassure them, and lift them back up.
Another piece of evidence I could mention is the colours. White and Black. Shadows and Light. Rocky is often found in light, as if he is there for the moment in heaven. This isn’t a coincidence. Light seems to bounce off him, even when there is nothing but shadows around him.
And the biblical references and elements really seem to show a lot. If we also go with this theory, it would match the elements of him working hard for his apostles to be prepared and ready to move on, and share what he shared with them, after Jesus Christ died, and was resurrected. How he approached them and taught them to grow, and to resolve their inner beasts. As much as Rocky said he had to deal with them, the others had to deal with far more of them, and Rocky put it on him to fight them, because he felt they needed help.
Vanishing in the light that he did, he was a guardian angel looking after everyone, so he could be reunited with Adrien. He often wanted to say more to everyone, but he didn’t say everything he could have, because they had to learn for themselves, and needed to come to him. And once they did, he was finally at peace to move on.
If you think about how he teaches everyone, how he looks pained when people make excuses, blame others and avoid confronting their issues, it’s like he has a goal, and that is to teach his philosophy of taking a punch, and getting back up. He felt that those around him needed to properly learn them. And thus, after he taught Paulie, Robert, Steps, Marie, Punchie, Duke and Mason, he was finally prepared to move on, as he completed what tasks he needed to find peace himself.
That is why I think that Rocky died shortly before the events of the movie, and it is his spirit wandering secretly, and with his big heart, helping others.
I love the boxe. I practice it 'cause it allows me to train my discipline and self-control. And I have always loved Rocky. This post highlights the strength of a man who can do the best he can with what he has. And what he cannot do 'cause he no longer has the strength in his arms, he does with his heart. Wonderful, guys! Bravo.
Stallion or... ninja :D