Unintentional Rocky Detail Makes Balboa's Relationship Better
An unplanned element of an iconic Rocky scene actually makes the franchise's central relationship even better through its subtextual implications. 1976 sports drama Rocky did far more than just launch the career of its writer and star Sylvester Stallone — it redefined the sports drama in modern cinema. Rocky was inspired by the real-life underdog story of Chuck Wepner, as well as drawing inspiration from fighters such as Joe Frazier and Rocky Marciano, and tells the story of an unlikely contender thrust into the spotlight.
One of the most important relationships in the Rocky franchise is the titular character's romantic connection with Adrian. The first Rocky movie sees the pair establish their romance, with Rocky proposing and the pair welcoming the birth of their son in Rocky II. The pair's first date sees Rocky take Adrian ice skating in an empty rink, with the clumsily slipping around on the ice as he stumbles over his words in a charming attempt to win her heart.
Related: What If The Rocky Movies Were Realistic? How Each Fight Would Have Ended
Rocky's ice rink scene was originally supposed to take place with a crowd, but budget restrictions meant that the scene was shot on an empty rink after hours. The unplanned change to the iconic Rocky scene actually makes it far more intimate, making it fit far better with the characters' relationship. By having the pair fall in love while skating on an empty ice rink, the scene perfectly represents their relationship not just in Rocky, but in its sequels, too.
Though the original plan was for the scene to unfold with dozens of extra skating around the pair, the deserted rink makes a far better setting for Rocky and Adrian's first date. The pair being alone subtly adds credence
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