If you're looking for both the ultimate underdog story as well as a celebration of patriotism then Rocky 4 is the film for you. Of course while most people continue to focus on the action of the film we will see more challenges to Rocky and Adrian's marriage along with difficulties in other relationships. In this film Rocky almost seems to push Adrian aside in order to pursue his own interests with her once again having to let her love for him guide her decisions in the spirit of agape.
While the beginning of this blog has a somewhat ominous tone the film starts out very pleasantly. Rocky's affection for his wife remains, as after celebrating her brother's birthday he plans a private moment to celebrate their wedding anniversary. In expressing his love for her we can see that she still see that same spark we saw between them in the first film. That's when he tells her that she still won't get rid of him as a way of reminding her that his commitment to her is the same as it was the day they got married.
Next we see the arrival of a huge Soviet boxer named Ivan Drago who was sent to the United States to take on American's best boxers (it was the 80's). After an introductory press conference where Drago is introduced to the boxing world Rocky's former rival Apollo Creed sees an opportunity to put himself back in the spotlight by taking on Drago who was greeted with the type of hype that Creed was known for (thanks to the director's cut we have new scenes to look at).
Immediately Rocky is hesitant at such an idea because Creed is much older now and Drago is bigger and stronger than either of them. Apollo responds with a ridiculous diatribe about how boxers are warriors and how they need to be in the middle of the action because that's how they were born. Rocky can see that he is being swayed by Apollo's smooth talking ways but he is also trying to be a loyal friend who also remembers Apollo helping get his title back.
For such people do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent.
-Romans 16:18
Now we arrive at the press conference where the former champion announces that he will take on the big Russian in an exhibition bout. Creed runs his mouth in order to build the hype for the match with the Russians not being accustomed to such behavior. Once the Russians begin to respond we see Apollo's ego get in the way (there is much to see in this side by side comparison of the theatrical and director's cut of the film).
The result of humility and fear of the Lord is riches, honor and life.
-Proverbs 22:4
Rocky has not been comfortable with the idea of Apollo fighting Drago and he is unafraid about expressing that concern to his best friend even when they are about to head to the ring. As usual, Apollo is his hostile self as he is not interested in losing his moment to return to glory.
This had to be a huge weight on Rocky as Adrian herself had expressed her concerns to him when Apollo came to visit them.
Overall, Rocky is trying to be a good friend during a time that is causing discomfort for all. This is something they have been through before so perhaps this drives him to remain loyal to Apollo as
A friend is a friend at all times, and a brother is born for the time of adversity.
-Proverbs 17:17
Eventually the match takes place between Apollo and Drago with Apollo being beaten to death. Even when Rocky begs him to stop the fight Creed is too proud to admit that he is over matched. There are no words to fully describe the conflict within Rocky as he tries to be loyal to his prideful friend while also doing what he can to protect him. The worst part of this scene was that Creed's wife witnessed the whole episode because he was too proud to stop the fight.
Pride goes before disaster, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
-Proverbs 16:18
Apollo's funeral was devastating for those who loved him as his death was unnecessary. While his former trainer Duke Evers states the way that Apollo lived Rocky is filled with guilt because he never forgot how much Apollo did for him. His love and loyalty for his friend weighed heavily on him to the point where he can't see that Apollo not only made a bad decision even when he had multiple opportunities to change his mind.
With Apollo's warrior words echoing in Rocky's head he goes on to schedule a fight with Drago in order to avenge the death of his friend. Most people think that Rocky is foolish to do such a thing because he risks the same fate as Apollo. However, Rocky did something much worse in making his decision to take on the Russian boxer: he did so without telling Adrian! Adrian actually finds out when she arrives home one day and see members of the press waiting for her in the Balboa driveway. At that moment she has no idea what they are talking about so imagine the devastation she felt when she realized that Rocky would make such a decision without telling her first
When Rocky finally returns home she confronts him about his decision and his response sounds more like Apollo than the man that she married. Adrian expresses her concerns and fears but Rocky refuses to budge. The worst part of the scene is the look on Adrian's face when she can see that he won't change his mind. Here she is, standing at the top of the staircase in their mansion, which is a long way from the run down apartment where they first kissed and all she sees is Rocky! Regardless of all of the wealth and fame her husband now has she had always seen the man she loved and not the man who provided these luxuries. And now he was willing to risk the life that matted so much to her in order to honor his egotistical friend in the ring.
When Rocky finally returns home she confronts him about his decision and his response sounds more like Apollo than the man that she married. Adrian expresses her concerns and fears but Rocky refuses to budge. The worst part of the scene is the look on Adrian's face when she can see that he won't change his mind. Here she is, standing at the top of the staircase in their mansion, which is a long way from the run down apartment where they first kissed and all she sees is Rocky! Regardless of all of the wealth and fame her husband now has she had always seen the man she loved and not the man who provided these luxuries. And now he was willing to risk the life that matted so much to her in order to honor his egotistical friend in the ring.
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
-Matthew 18:6
Unfortunately, Apollo is no longer available to look back on his holly and use his smooth speech to talk Rocky out of avenging him for something that he should have never done.
The moment of Rocky's departure to Russia is difficult to watch. Adrian was comfortable enough to say what she had to say but she also gave him the freedom to make his decision. She didn't nag him or threaten to leave him because after all, this is the same woman who had already proven more than once that she understood the meaning of the word commitment. She was afraid of losing him and that in itself was heart breaking.
As the film progresses the viewer is pumped up by yet another fabulous training montage where we see two warriors prepare for what the Rocky universe will call the biggest fight in boxing history. This serves actually as an amazing distraction after Rocky's departure because we see some of the most beautiful parts of God's creation, which are two male bodies at their peak performing at such a high level. After all, creation is good and that also includes the human body (Genesis 1:31).
The biggest surprise though is when Rocky returns from a run to see Adrian waiting for him. This is one of the most beautiful scenes in the series as she approaches the love of her life and lays her heart out to him: I couldn't stay away anymore. I missed you. We can assume that she is still hurt and scared but her love for Rocky is unquestioned and she would rather be with him than resent him and stay away. She also knows that she is safe to say whatever it is she has to tell him because of his unconditional love for her. That is why she is able to look him in the eye and say: I'm with you, no matter what.
Imagine the impact that had on him knowing that she was with him as he prepared for the biggest match of his life. There is no doubt that having her support during his training sessions as well as during the big fight helped propel Rocky to the greatest win of his career, more so than the inspiration she gave to him when he first won the title from Apollo in the second film.
More important than the hero in the ring is our hero Adrian demonstrating her true love for Rocky as she truly demonstrated what it means to love someone in good times and bad:
- First, she didn't agree with Rocky's decision to fight Drago but gave him room to do what he needed to do even though he was putting his life at risk.
- Second, she could have claimed that Rocky betrayed her by not speaking to her first when he decided to take the fight. She certainly had the right to know even what he was thinking of doing but again, she let that pass especially after he finally explained his reasons for taking the fight.
- Most importantly, Adrian showed greater strength than her husband during the fight as she sat there and watched him take a horrible beating prior to summoning the strength to beat what many saw as an unbeatable opponent. Most viewers tend to focus on Rocky's amazing victory, which made his nation proud but most people fail to see all that Adrian endured.
The hardest part for Adrian was that she wasn't given the choice to prepare for what could have been a tragic outcome. Still, she was there and supported her husband because her love for him was stronger than her greatest fear.
This was indeed, a true act of agape.
Finally, we need to look at a touching moment between Rocky and his best friend/brother in law Paulie. Sadly, we usually wait for moments when we think that we might see someone for the last time to say the deepest things in our heart but it's still nice to know the impact we had on certain people. Paulie is not the kindest person in the world but he is still a person, which means he is capable of recognizing genuine love, even if it's from a friend.
This film has so many complicated interactions because of the emotions that go with them: fear, anger, ego, etc. The best part of it, as we see in the Director's cut, is that people can change. The last part of the film, when we see a different version of Rocky's speech, shows us the possibility of being able to see a person as a real person. From the crowd cheering for Rocky, who they had booed most of the fight to Rocky greeting Drago in good sportsmanship even though he had just beaten this man out of vengeance for his fallen friend. It could be argued that it was the determination in each fighter that changed those who detested them. From the crowd having to admire Rocky's persistence against what appeared to be an unbeatable opponent to Rocky having to show that boxer's respect to Drago for being his toughest opponent.
We are called to conform to the will of Christ but we are not without the graces to empower us as we make the effort to change for the better. Never underestimate the power of Jesus for nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).
Carlos Solorzano
- BA & MA in Religious Studies from Cal State Long Beach
- Certified Through the Theology of the Body Institute
- Speaker with Catholic Speakers Organization
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