Inspiration on Film

15. Rocky Balboa's Speech

Inspiration on Film
Compiled by Fox-Trot-9

15. Rocky Balboa's Speech
From Rocky Balboa (2006)
Delivered by Sylvester Stallone

Robert Balboa: Y-you know, living with you, it hasn't been easy. People see me, but they think of you. Now with all this going on, it's gonna be worse than ever.

Rocky Balboa: It don't have to be.

Robert Balboa: No, sure it does.

Rocky Balboa: Why? You got a lot going on, kid.

Robert Balboa: Oh, what? My last name? That's the reason why I got a decent job. That's the reason people deal with me in the first place. Now I start to get a little ahead. I start to get a little something for myself, and this happens! Now I'm asking you, as a favor, not to go through with this, okay? This is only going to end up bad for you, and it's gonna end up bad for me.

Rocky Balboa: You think I'm hurting you?

Robert Balboa: Yeah, and the way you are. 

Rocky Balboa: That's the last think I ever wanted to do.

Robert Balboa: I know that's not what you want to do, but that's just the way that it is. Don't you care what people think? Doesn't it bother you that—that people are making you out to be a joke, and that I'm gonna be included in that? Do you think that's right? Do you?

Rocky Balboa: You ain't gonna believe this, but you used to fit right here. (points to his palm) I'd hold you up to say to you mother, "This kid's gonna be the best kid in the world. This kid's gonna be somebody better than anybody I ever knew." And you grew up good and wonderful. It was great just watching you every day—it was like a privilege. Then the time come for you to be your own man, and take on the word, and you did. But somewhere along the line, you changed. You stopped being you. You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you you're no good. And when things got hard, you started looking for something to blame, like a big shadow. Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that! (pause) I'm always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens, you're my son and you're my blood. You're the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, you ain't gonna have a life. (walks away) Don't forget to visit your mother.

(To be continued...)

A/N: Even though I've watched the other Rocky movies, I've yet to watch the film... I just came across this awesome speech today, and I was literally crying my eyes out! ( T_T ) This is by far one of the most touching and heart-felt and incredible movie speeches I've ever heard... I'll make it my mission to watch this movie! ( >_< )