Sly Movie Review: Sylvester Stallone takes you into the eye of the tiger

Sylvester Stallone stands out from every other Hollywood mega-star throughout history for a rather straightforward reason – he is the sole individual who meticulously sculpted and developed his on-screen persona. During the early 1970s, Stallone, a struggling young actor with a distinctive accent and a lack of conventional charm, received feedback that he lacked the necessary qualities to become a mainstream star. In response, Stallone took it upon himself to create the ultimate underdog character from the working-class background, leading to the birth of Rocky in 1976. As the saying goes, the rest is history. In Thom Zimny's 90-minute documentary, "Sly," an attempt is made to dissect the unconventional path to superstardom undertaken by Stallone. This effort is aided by insights from cultural commentators, as well as a notable roster of Stallone's contemporaries, including his co-star from "The Expendables," Arnold Schwarzenegger, the actress known for her role as Adrian in the Rocky movies, Talia Shire, and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.

Director: Thom Zimny

The highlight of this documentary is undoubtedly the exploration of Sylvester Stallone's most iconic roles, Rocky Balboa and John Rambo, which prove to be truly captivating. Many people may not fully appreciate Stallone's extensive experience as a screenwriter, and this film excels at revealing the creative process behind the broad appeal of his movies. Why do Stallone's characters consistently avoid meeting their demise at the end of a film? How does he perceive the evolving audience responses to underdog narratives? What significance lies in the act of "rooting for" a fictional character, and why is it pivotal for a film's commercial success? Stallone's responses to all these inquiries exhibit a depth of contemplation and organization that might surprise you. They also reflect his expertise and enduring prominence as a movie star.

This doesn't imply that Stallone lacks valuable insights about filmmaking as an art form. He's quite open about acknowledging his limitations as an actor. At one point, he candidly states, "I'm simply not suited for Shakespeare," especially when discussing his infrequent ventures into the realm of drama or comedy, such as the 1991 John Landis comedy, "Oscar," which was met with both critical and commercial disappointment. More recently, Stallone experimented with a superhero film, "Samaritan," which received similarly lukewarm reviews. However, one of the central themes of this documentary is dealing with setbacks and rejection.

Stallone reflects on his early career and says, "The rejections I faced from all quarters at the beginning of my journey... Those rejections were my motivation, you know?" While some of this may appear as tough-guy bravado, every now and then, you catch a glimpse of something in Stallone's eyes that reveals just how much these experiences meant—and still mean—to him.

He ponders, "What is healthier, to live under the illusion and still hold onto that glimmer of hope that you could have achieved greatness, or to falter and recognize that you've experienced failure? I believe the easier path is to live under the illusion and say, 'If I had that opportunity, I would have outshone them all!'"

This brief insight into the psychology of 'making it' is not something you'd typically expect from a character portrayed by Stallone, and it's precisely why "Sly" is frequently a surprising and insightful documentary, even though it generally remains cautious in its approach.

Director Zimny deliberately avoids delving into the most contentious topics related to Stallone. There's a noticeable absence of any discussion regarding the sexual assault allegations made in 2017, where a woman accused Stallone of an assault that allegedly occurred in the early 90s. The issue of steroid usage, for which Stallone has faced legal troubles in the past, is hardly touched upon. Curiously, there's also no mention of "Creed," despite the fact that Stallone's significant comeback was closely tied to that film. Perhaps it's because, for once, Stallone wasn't the central star of "Creed." However, he did receive an Oscar nomination for his role, making it a rather puzzling omission.

Notwithstanding these conspicuous gaps, "Sly" remains an enjoyable viewing experience. It wears its emotions openly, mirroring its subject's disposition. While this approach does expose the documentary to criticism on several fronts, it shines when it's at its best. At the age of 77, Sylvester Stallone shows no signs of slowing down; he still possesses untold stories to share and underdog narratives to craft, all while winning over audiences. "Sly" serves as a heartfelt tribute to the man who has been an inspiration to generations of tenacious go-getters.

Rating: 3 out of 5