Watch Somebody Up There Likes Me

Somebody Up There Likes Me is a 1956 American biographical drama film directed by Robert Wise, starring Paul Newman, Pier Angeli, and Everett Sloane. The film tells the story of the life and career of boxer Rocky Graziano. The screenplay was based on Graziano's autobiography of the same name which he co-wrote with Rowland Barber. The film opens with Rocky Graziano as a youth growing up in the slums of New York City's Lower East Side. He is portrayed as a tough street kid who falls into a life of crime and eventually ends up in prison. While in prison, Rocky discovers his talent for boxing and begins training seriously. When he is released, he begins fighting professionally and becomes a popular fighter known for his aggressive style in the ring.

Rocky's relationship with his family is a major theme throughout the film. He has a difficult relationship with his father, who is portrayed as a bitter and abusive man. Rocky's mother is a supportive figure in his life, but she also struggles with her own personal problems. Rocky's romance with Norma, played by Pier Angeli, is also a significant part of the film. Norma is a gentle, caring woman who loves Rocky despite his flaws and the challenges they face together.

The film shows Rocky's rise to fame as a boxer and the challenges he faces along the way. He has to fight his way up the ranks to earn a shot at the title, and faces some tough opponents along the way. His rivalry with Tony Zale, played by Steve McQueen in an early role, is a highlight of the film. Rocky's fights are portrayed realistically and are well choreographed.

At the height of his career, Rocky is accused of draft dodging and is banned from boxing. He spends time in jail and struggles to rebuild his life after his release. The film shows the toll that boxing takes on Rocky's body, and his struggles with alcoholism and personal demons. He eventually finds redemption through his relationship with Norma and his decision to join the army and fight in the Korean War.

The performances in the film are solid, with Paul Newman giving a standout performance as Rocky Graziano. He effectively conveys the character's toughness and vulnerability, and his scenes with Pier Angeli are poignant and touching. Angeli is also excellent as Norma, portraying the character with depth and nuance. Everett Sloane is convincing as Rocky's father, and Steve McQueen is impressive in his early role as Tony Zale.

The film's direction by Robert Wise is solid, with effective use of location shooting and period detail. The score by Bronislau Kaper is also notable, with a mix of jazz and traditional orchestral music.

Overall, Somebody Up There Like Me is an engaging biographical drama with strong performances and effective storytelling. It offers an interesting portrayal of the life of a boxer and the challenges he faces both in and out of the ring. The film is a solid entry in Paul Newman's early career and is well worth watching for fans of classic cinema.

Somebody Up There Likes Me is a 1956 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.