The phrase 'sensitive and intelligent film-maker' and the name Sylvester Stallone don't mix in most people's minds, but this story proves the two 'can' go together to produce an entertaining and well made film. Stallone wrote, directed and starred in this story about three slum brothers who try to make some money by encouraging the youngest (and by far the biggest) brother (Lee Canalito) to become a wrestler. For a change Stallone isn't the monosyllabic brute, he's the fast-talking sharp guy. Canalito is endearing as the slow but powerful Victor and Armand Assante is effective as the bitter, war-wounded elder brother. With an intelligent story and some well-staged action, supported by a solid cast, this is a film that was undeservedly overshadowed by 'Rocky II', a significantly inferior film. It's a shame the 'Rocky' and 'Rambo' films were so successful: if they hadn't been, we might have had more films like this from Mr Stallone.


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