MovieChat Forums > Paradise Alley (1978) Discussion > Why so underrated ? (5,5/10)

Why so underrated ? (5,5/10)


I can't understand...

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I agree with you. I am not a Stallone fan but I liked this movie.
My mother was in her seventies and she thought it was hilarious.
A great film.

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This film has heart, soul, romance, drama and humor, as well as some killer cinematography and a great soundtrack (including Sly Stallone himself singing). It's not a perfect film by any standards, but it's undeniably entertaining, and that qualifies it for 7/10 in my book.

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This was a great movie!

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Possibly because it is a wrestling film. People still to this day look down on the form of entertainment. Although, I believe that there are a lot of fans that just won't admit to it.

I really liked this film. It was an entertaining period piece as well as a wrestling film with some heart to it.



PUNISH!!!
NAUGHTY!!!

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Read the external reviews of the DVD to see why. Stallone did some nice things in "Paradise Alley", but this is a vanity project that is something of a mess.

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I don't believe this was a vanity piece for Stallone. It couldn't be. It was never intended to be major league; look at the distribution. Also his role was quite low-key and purposefully downplayed.

A mess? Maybe, but the film itself has character and heart and quite clearly stands the test of time. The OP's point stands, it's undermarked.

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Do you understand the term "vanity piece"?

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Paradise Alley received negative reviews from many critics, who often compared the film unfavorably to Rocky. It was early in Stallone's career before Rambo and Rocky II, and also his directorial debut, and I guess the snobby critics just didn't want another sports drama with Stallone.

The wrestling is secondary, it's a wonderful fim with memorable characters, and with a brotherly bond at the heart of the film, the supporting cast were great in this too!

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