Sly Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Sly moves to Florida to escape California taxes and reminisce about punching things and daddy issues, all while conveniently forgetting to mention certain… *things*.

🍿 Sly: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Life and Struggles

The documentary delves into Sylvester Stallone’s challenging upbringing in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen. Born with a facial paralysis, Stallone faced numerous rejections early in his career. Despite these obstacles, he was driven by a desire to become a hero, finding inspiration in movies and developing his acting skills through imitation.

Breaking into Hollywood

Facing constant rejection as an actor, Stallone turned to writing, creating his own opportunities. He penned 15-16 screenplays in two years, eventually leading to a role in “The Lords of Flatbush,” where he gained recognition for his thug character. This experience solidified his belief in the power of his writing abilities.

The Rocky Phenomenon

Stallone’s breakthrough came with “Rocky,” a script he refused to sell unless he could star in it. Despite facing budget constraints and initial bad reviews, the film became a massive hit, captivating audiences with its underdog love story. “Rocky” went on to win an Oscar, catapulting Stallone to international stardom.

Navigating Fame and Setbacks

The documentary explores Stallone’s subsequent career, including the pressures of repeating his success and the challenges of navigating fame. He faced critical and commercial failures, leading him to direct “Rocky II” and explore other iconic characters like Rambo. These ventures highlighted his talent for infusing personal stories into his filmaking.

Later Career and Legacy

As he aged, Stallone created age-appropriate action franchises such as “The Expendables,” demonstrating his understanding of his audience’s expectations. The documentary touches on his injuries, his relationship with his father, and regrets about neglecting his personal life. It concludes with Stallone moving to Florida, seeking new creative inspiration and leaving behind a legacy as a self-made icon.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sylvester Stallone (Sylvester Stallone): A driven and reflective actor, writer, and director who overcame a difficult childhood and early career struggles to become a Hollywood icon.
• Frank Stallone (Frank Stallone): Sylvester’s supportive brother who provides insights into their shared upbringing and sibling dynamic.
• John Herzfeld (John Herzfeld): A director and early collaborator who recognizes Stallone’s writing talent and unique vision.
• Quentin Tarantino (Quentin Tarantino): A film director that provides an outside perspective on Stallone’s career and contributions to cinema.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger (Arnold Schwarzenegger): Stallone’s former rival who acknowledges his accomplishments and lasting impact on the action genre.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sylvester Stallone: “Life is addition up until age 40, and after that it’s subtraction.” – Stallone reflects on how time changes one’s perspective and priorities.
• Sylvester Stallone: “The rejection was my encouragement.” – Describing his early struggles and how constant rejection fueled his ambition.
• Sylvester Stallone: “I didn’t want every Vietnam vet to believe that there was no hope for them at all.” – Explaining his decision to change the ending of First Blood to be more hopeful for veterans.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Sly Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this expecting a pumped-up ego trip, but I was genuinely surprised. Seeing Sly talk about his rough childhood and how much he poured into Rocky really hit me hard. It’s like, you see the muscles, but then you hear the vulnerability. I got choked up when he talked about his family. The ending, with him talking about his regrets, stuck with me. It’s a surprisingly human portrait.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Sylvester Stallone”
  • “Fans of Rocky and Rambo franchises”
  • “People interested in Hollywood success stories”
  • “Aspiring writers and filmmakers”
  • “Viewers interested in documentaries about actors’ lives”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief discussion of childhood trauma”
  • “Mentions of parental abuse”
  • “Discussion of a death of a child”
  • “Some strong language”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “A compelling look at Stallone’s career, highlighting his struggles and triumphs. While it skims over some controversies, it offers genuine insight into the man behind Rocky and Rambo. A surprisingly thoughtful reflection on legacy and regret.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Offers a nuanced portrait of Stallone’s life, blending personal struggles with his iconic on-screen characters. It’s a compelling, but incomplete, story of ambition and perseverance.
• Variety: “An intimate and revealing documentary, showcasing the vulnerabilities and triumphs of Sylvester Stallone’s extraordinary career. It’s a story about legacy, family, and the enduring power of the underdog spirit.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers were touched by Stallone’s vulnerability and candid reflections on his life and career.: Fans appreciated the raw honesty and insights into Stallone’s creative process.

Viewers enjoyed hearing Stallone discuss the rocky road it took for him to become famous.: Fans were impressed at the man’s ability to persevere.

Overall Consensus: Overall, Sly is generally viewed positively as a reflective and personal documentary, though some critics and viewers find it incomplete and lacking in deeper exploration of certain aspects of Stallone’s life.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sylvester Stallone wrote the screenplay for Rocky in just three days.”
• “Stallone was nearly forced to sell the Rocky script because he was struggling financially, but he refused to sell it unless he could play the lead role.”
• “During the filming of The Expendables, Stallone suffered a serious neck injury during a fight scene with Steve Austin, requiring surgery.”
• “Quentin Tarantino is a known fan of Stallone’s work, particularly ‘The Lords of Flatbush,’ and provides commentary in the documentary.”

🖥️ How to Watch Sly?

Sly is available to stream exclusively on Netflix. With a Netflix subscription, viewers can watch the documentary on demand across a variety of devices. As a Netflix original, Sly is not available for purchase or rental on other platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV. Check your local Netflix availability, as content libraries may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Sly, you might like these similar films:

• Arnold (2023): A documentary offering an intimate look at the life and career of another iconic action star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, including his personal and professional challenges.
• Becoming Mike Nichols (2016): Features intimate conversations and career highlights from director Mike Nichols, offering a look into the creative process and personal life of a Hollywood icon.
• Forrest Gump (1994): An underdog story featuring the main character involved in various defining cultural moments. Though fictional, there is a similar retrospective feel.
• Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991): A behind-the-scenes documentary chronicling the tumultuous production of Apocalypse Now, capturing the director’s struggles and creative process, providing a raw look at filmmaking.

🛒 Sly Related Products

• Rocky: The Complete Saga [Blu-ray]: Own the entire Rocky saga, remastered in stunning Blu-ray quality. Relive every punch, every training montage, and every underdog victory. This collection includes all Rocky films.
• Rambo: The Complete Steelbook Collection [4K Ultra HD]: This limited edition steelbook set includes all five Rambo films in stunning 4K Ultra HD. Witness Rambo’s journey from Vietnam veteran to action icon, with breathtaking visuals and immersive audio.
• The Official Rocky Statue – 13 inch Replica: Bring the spirit of the Italian Stallion home with this meticulously crafted 13-inch replica of the iconic Rocky statue from Philadelphia.
• Sylvester Stallone Signed ‘Rocky’ Movie Poster: Own a piece of cinematic history with this authentic Sylvester Stallone autographed Rocky movie poster. A rare and valuable addition to any collector’s portfolio.

🎧 Soundtrack

Sly features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Gonna Fly Now” – performed by Bill Conti
• “Eye of the Tiger” – performed by Survivor
• “It’s a Long Road” – performed by Dan Hill

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

NOBODY wanted to be RAMBO – Sylvester Stallone

Ever wonder if Stallone was the ONLY one who saw Rambo’s potential? Hear Sly himself talk about how no one else wanted the role – it’s crazy to think how close we came to never seeing this iconic character!

Henry Winkler Great Funny Sly Stallone Story #shorts @RichEisenShow

You won’t believe this hilarious story about a young Sly Stallone! Henry Winkler shares a gem about Sly’s early Hollywood days and the near-miss of Rocky, proving that even legends start somewhere!

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