A new film titled I Play Rocky, which delves into the behind-the-scenes creation of the 1976 classic Rocky, has made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Directed by Peter Farrelly, the film features Anthony Ippolito as a young Sylvester Stallone, who was a struggling actor with no prior experience writing a screenplay when he fought to bring Rocky to life. The film has been widely praised by critics, with many calling it "magnificent," "a winner," and even "one of the best movies of the year." The original Rocky is a beloved underdog story about a small-time Philadelphia boxer who gets a rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion. The film itself is famous not only for its inspiring plot but also for the real-life drama surrounding its production. Stallone famously turned down a six-figure salary to let someone else star in the film, recruited director John G. Avildsen, and worked with a modest $1 million budget. The result was a box office hit, the highest-grossing film of 1976, and it earned 10 Oscar nominations, winning three, including Best Picture. I Play Rocky has been highlighted for its emotional depth and strong performances, particularly Anthony Ippolito’s portrayal of Stallone. Critics have praised Ippolito, saying his performance is "indistinguishable from Stallone" in certain scenes and calling him "a real contender for the best performance of the year." The film has also been described as "a rare thing, a film that gets more enjoyable as it goes on – right till the end." However, not all reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. Some critics have called the film "uninventive," "a walking piece of pastiche," and even an "insult" to the original. Despite this, the film was met with enthusiastic audience reactions at TIFF, with some describing the response as the most passionate they had seen at the festival. Sylvester Stallone is not involved with the film, but director Peter Farrelly mentioned in a post-screening Q&A that Stallone has seen the finished version and approves of it. Ippolito, who expressed gratitude for being cast as Stallone, said the film shows how challenging it can be to be an actor and called the experience "absolutely surreal." I Play Rocky will be released in UK cinemas on November 6 and in US cinemas on November 20.