Movie Life Lessons: "Rocky"

The Only Path to Success: Dedication Over Resolutions

As the new year begins, many of us fall into the trap of making resolutions. We seek motivation, a fleeting feeling that promises change but often runs dry. The truth is, resolutions are meaningless without the foundation of consistency, and consistency is born of dedication.

So, what are you truly dedicated to in your life?

This dedication, not transient motivation, is the key to success and transformation.

Today's 'Movie Life Lessons' focuses on the character of Rocky Balboa, a man who exemplifies dedication. In the original 'Rocky' movie, we see a man whose goal isn’t the heavyweight championship or defeating Apollo Creed; his goal is to change his life. In his words, everything about his life "stinks." His apartment, his career, his life in general. In the words of a neighborhood girl he’s trying to help out, he's "a bum." Rocky dedicates himself to two transformative pursuits.

The first is his fight against Apollo Creed. In fact, when Apollo’s manager offers Rocky the chance to fight, he turns it down. He does not think that he’s worthy of the opportunity. That’s how low he has sunk. Much in the same way, he does not initially believe that he is worthy of Adrian, played by the talented Talia Shire. Rocky's dedication to these goals transforms his life, underscoring the importance of steadfast commitment.

When he does finally agree to the fight, Rocky’s stated goal is to “go the distance,” which is also the name of the inspiring piece in the film’s score by composer Bill Conti. To stay on his feet through the final round. To prove that he’s not “a bum.”

The second goal is his pursuit of the woman he loves, Adrian, played by the excellent Talia Shire. When Rocky professes his love for Adrian, he pursues her with the same intensity and heart as he pursues his goal of going the distance against Apollo Creed. In doing so, he helps bring her out of her shell.

As I explained to my brother-in-law, when Rocky finally manages to get Adrian over to his apartment, he’s insistent because he knows this is his shot. It’s not that he doesn’t understand who Adrian is or that he hasn’t respectfully put in the work courting her. It’s no accident that Adrian works at a pet store and likes turtles. She is a turtle, receding into her shell, hiding from the world.

Like Rocky, she is broken. The person who has abused her is not Rocky, but her own brother, Paulie. He thinks she’s retarded and doesn’t “see it,” meaning Rocky’s attraction to her. In fact, the first time we actually see Rocky fight back is against Paulie when he insults Adrian. Rocky proceeds to pound slabs of beef to show Paulie he’s not going to put up with that.

One of my favorite scenes in cinema is round 14 in the final fight. This is after Rocky has been knocked down countless times by Apollo Creed. In this round, Apollo knocks Rocky down and raises his arms in victory, believing he has won. Turning to the crowd and beginning to celebrate. Everyone believes Rocky is beaten. His own manager, Mickey, who believes in him as much as anybody, tells him to "stay down."

But Rocky gets up. It’s no accident. The next shot after he gets to his feet is of Adrian, before it cuts back to Rocky in the ring. When Apollo realizes that he’s standing, he turns around and his entire face falls. His hands drop to his sides. He looks like a man defeated. In the words of the ultra-athlete and personification of dedication, David Goggins, Rocky in that moment has “taken Apollo's soul.“ It’s no longer a matter of who actually wins the fight. As a man standing toe-to-toe with another man, Rocky has defeated Apollo. He has in that moment, achieved his goal. 

Driving the idea of dedication home, at the end of the movie, when the fight is over Apollo says, “ain’t gonna be no rematch” to which Rocky says, “don’t want one.”  Because he doesn’t believe in that moment he needs one.  He’s accomplished his goal. 

There is only one thing left that matters. 

So, when everyone rushes into the ring to congratulate Rocky and he is surrounded by the promoters and the press, and they all shout questions at him about the fight, the only thing Rocky cares about in that moment is the other object of his dedication: Adrian. 

In fact, people forget but the last lines of the movie are Rocky and Adrian telling one another “I love you,” “I love you,” over and over again.

When you find the thing in your life that’s worth dedicating yourself to, it has the capacity to change not only you but the other people in your life. We see this not only with Adrian but with Paulie, Rocky’s only friend and Adrian’s deadbeat brother, who is constantly putting her down and exploiting Rocky. It’s no accident that at the end of the fight, it is Paulie who lifts the ropes, allowing Adrian to slip into the ring so she can get to the man she loves. And again with Mickey, played by the iconic Burgess Meredith — Rocky’s shot at the title becomes Mickey’s own chance for redemption in his life.

These themes are consistent throughout all six movies (okay, maybe not "Rocky 5"). We see this relationship between Rocky and Adrian as the essence everything he accomplishes after that. In 'Rocky II', Adrian falls into a coma, and Rocky refuses to do anything but stay by her side. When she awakens and tells Rocky to win the fight, it fuels his victory. This moment highlights the power of dedication in love and professional aspirations.

The theme of dedication continues in 'Rocky III'. After losing to Clubber Lang — a fighter who has “the eye of the tiger” — Rocky loses faith in himself. Confronted with fear and uncertainty, Adrian challenges him.  Rocky admits, 'I’m afraid!”  Adrian responds by telling him that, “Apollo thinks you can do it.  So do I.  But you have to believe you can do it.”  He questions her, 'How did you get so tough?' to which she responds, “I live with a fighter.”

It takes Adrian confronting Rocky when he seems ready to quit for him to rededicate himself to his life’s purpose.  Much like Rocky himself, Adrain is a wholly different woman than she was at beginning of the first movie.  This is only possible through unwavering dedication to that which matters in your life.

What are you willing to fight for? What will you dedicate yourself to despite obstacles or challenges? Dedication, not fleeting inspiration, is the key to achieving our goals. This new year, let's shift our focus from resolutions to what we are truly dedicated to. Like Rocky, let our dedication define us.