Ok, ok, I realize this film came out in November, but one of the joys of Hermitage Week (or Hermitage Month…or Hermitage Season!) is getting to catch up on the films you still haven’t had time to enjoy, as well as the books, and this film had been on my “To See” List about a year before its actual release date.

Creed is more than a rooting-for-the-underdog story–it’s a tribute to the Rocky franchise, particularly the first installment (which is my favorite, so I was thrilled).  Adonis Creed is the illegitimate son of Apollo Creed, Rocky Balboa’s first true opponent and brother in the ring.  But though he’s grown up with a silver spoon in his mouth, he’s never had the chance to make a name for himself, apart from his deceased father’s legacy.  So he packs up, quits his lucrative job, and moves across the country to Philadelphia, in the hopes of convincing his father’s best friend, Rocky, to train him.

The result is a phenomenal coming-of-age story, as Creed figures out what he truly wants from the world, what he needs to do to get it, how he has to negotiate a life that isn’t easy or simple or safe anymore, and how to be in love with a strong, smart, independent woman.  Its a really interesting social commentary; the film-makers don’t ignore the racial issues that underlie Creed’s life, but they do it so elegantly that it becomes part of the story, rather than a counterpoint to it.  It’s also a touchingly quirky buddy movie; there is an instant camaraderie between Balboa and Creed that grows into something life-changing for both of them, which may be the best, and most unforgettable part of the film.  And yes, the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art make a cameo, in perhaps my favorite scene in the whole film.

It’s also a movie about boxing, obviously.  But, like Rocky, boxing isn’t just boxing.  Boxing is a parable for life and love and self-worth, and this film capture the art of the sport, and the dedication of its practitioners, beautifully.  And, if you listen really closely, you can hear “Eye of the Tiger” woven subtlety (if that is even possible) into the film’s final montages.

So, if you’re casting about for a film, Creed comes highly recommended from the Free-For-All.  And if you’ve already enjoyed it, here are some other ideas from the Library to supplement the story:

Rocky: This one should be obvious.  Not only is it a terrific, honest story that has withstood the test of time pretty darn well, Creed is packed with references and allusions, big and small, to this classic film.  This quintessential Cinderella story features a very young Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, a skilled fighter who is wasting his talent working for a loan shark, until he gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot at the heavyweight title.  In the process, he also manages to win the girl of his dreams–Adrian Pennino, who is a fantastic heroine, about whom I could say a great deal (perhaps in a later post?).  The other films in this series are good, but this one is by far the best.

The Professor in the Cage : Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch: When a mixed martial arts gym opened across the street from his officer, unhappy adjunct English professor Jonathan Gottschall decided to join, and explore the lure of violence, the thrill of the fight, and the fascination that we, as a species, have always seem to have with combat.  This book is a mish-mash of Gottschall’s personal experiences of training and fighting, a history of fighting, and a consideration on the violence of the human individual that is all highly readable, and helps to explain how and why films and stories about fighters continue to draw us, even though the sight of blood or bruises make us cringe.

Below the Belt: Jeannette Murray’s new romance series featuring the men of the Marine Corp Boxing Team is pretty interesting for a few reasons.  First, her books are really fun, easy, steamy reads, secondly, her heroes aren’t your stereotypical warrior, alpha-male, gun-toting dominants.  Which leads me to my favorite part of these books.  Her characters, and the situations in which they find themselves are remarkably realistic.  In the series’ opener, Brad Costa will do anything at all to make it to the Marine Boxing Team, but he is plagued with doubt that he is too old, and too beat-up to keep up with the new recruits.  He thinks he’s covering things well–until the new trainer, Marianne Cook, sees right through his charade.  This is very much a story about two people with dreams and goals, much like Creed and his Bianca, who strengthen each other, and that kind of dynamic makes for a sensational story, whether you’re a devoted fan of fighter-romances or not.

2 a.m. at the Cat’s Pajamas:  For those of you who though Bianca’s music in Creed was pretty funky, for those of you who enjoyed the sights and sounds of Philadelphia that aren’t on the tourist ads, and for those of you just looking for something charmingly different to read, Marie-Helene Bertino’s book is here to satisfy all your interests.  Madeleine Altimari is a feisty, head-strong nine-year-old jazz singer who is determined to perform at a local jazz club that is slated for closure.  This is a laugh-a-minute, cry-a-minute books with a sensational sense of place, an a heroine that you can’t help but love.  I think Bianca and Madeleine would be terrific pals.