Somebody Up There Likes Me
A volatile New York delinquent discovers discipline, love, and self-belief through an unexpected gift for boxing.
Overview
A young man's journey through hardship and self-discovery leads him to the boxing ring and love.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- gritty
- earnest
- inspirational
- classic movie night
- sports drama marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an effective boxing biography, especially Paul Newman's breakthrough performance and its energetic dramatic storytelling.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Rocky Graziano's memoir-based life is shaped into a rise-from-delinquency boxing narrative.
Rocky's fighting talent redirects his history of street conflict and incarceration toward a legitimate career.
Rocky's abusive home, juvenile detention, prison experiences, and boxing ambitions are rooted in New York City.
Rocky gains confidence and purpose as boxing reveals a path beyond his criminal past.
Films like Somebody Up There Likes Me, and why
The Champ
boxing biopic centered on a troubled fighter's rise through personal adversity
The Harder They Fall
1950s sports drama combining working-class struggle, romance, and hard-won redemption
Raging Bull
biographical boxing drama about discipline, violence, and transformation
The Pride of the Yankees
classic inspirational sports drama focused on an outsider overcoming social barriers
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Wise
- Release Date
- 1956-07-04
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (190)
Cast
- Paul Newman
- Pier Angeli
- Everett Sloane
- Eileen Heckart
- Sal Mineo
- Harold J. Stone
- Joseph Buloff
- Arch Johnson
- Sammy White
- Robert P. Lieb
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Somebody Up There Likes Me about?
- A volatile New York delinquent discovers discipline, love, and self-belief through an unexpected gift for boxing.
- What is Somebody Up There Likes Me like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Somebody Up There Likes Me as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Somebody Up There Likes Me violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Somebody Up There Likes Me as moderate.
- What did critics think of Somebody Up There Likes Me?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an effective boxing biography, especially Paul Newman's breakthrough performance and its energetic dramatic storytelling.
- Which films are like Somebody Up There Likes Me?
- Films with a similar feel include The Champ, The Harder They Fall, Raging Bull, and The Pride of the Yankees.
- How long is Somebody Up There Likes Me?
- Somebody Up There Likes Me runs 113 minutes.
- Where can I watch Somebody Up There Likes Me?
- In United States, Somebody Up There Likes Me is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
