The Pretender

The Pretender is a riveting and deeply touching documentary from 2019, presenting viewers with the intriguing world of Mike Kunda. The film is a comprehensive and well-rounded visual narrative that celebrates the love of art, the power of self-belief, and bids homage to the iconic Rocky series that has enraptured audiences all around the world, from the 1970s to this present day. It pieces together the story of an everyday man whose entire life has been drastically influenced by the fictitious character and cultural phenomenon, Rocky Balboa.

The movie starts by introducing the audience to Mike Kunda who is a vivid and lively personality, full of warmth and charm. More importantly, for the last 40 years, Kunda has been leading a life, shadowing the iconoclastic character brilliantly portrayed by Sylvester Stallone - Rocky. Expertly weaving through Kunda's life and perspective, the documentary exhibits the inspiring simplicity and relatability that Kunda brings to his adulation of his hero.

Kunda’s fascination with Rocky, starting from the tender age of 11, created a hypnotic grip on him, a spell that transcends the typical fan adoration. The Pretender shows how a fan can rise beyond mere fandom to fully incarnate the spirit and essence of the beloved character. The film portrays Kunda’s transformation into Rocky, emulating Stallone’s physical characteristic, signature style, valiant posture, local Philly accent, and even his handwriting. Through his eyes, the audience sees how the inspired innocence of our childhood can mature into a fully embodied adult obsession.

This obsession sparked the reality that Kunda now lives, as he takes fans and tourists on a chimeric tour around Philly, tracing Balboa's footsteps. Kunda's guided tour is not merely an academic city-tour of significant Rocky locations; it is a living, breathing journey into a Philly existing as a time capsule. It is a rendition bowed to the original that weaves an enjoyable narrative laced with character-specific detail and fictive significance.

However, the documentary is not just limited to Kunda's eccentricity and his localized influence. The Pretender humanizes Kunda by highlighting his struggles, daily life, and the emotional component of his journey. Through Kunda, the film underlines the transformative power of art and the cinegraphic industry's impact on an individual’s life and identity.

Kunda's marriage with Sue, the struggles of their relationship due to his obsession, and Sue's acceptance echo the realistic complexities and pain of relationships. It showcases their shared journey punctuated with laughter, tears, support, frustration, and undeniable love. Kunda's interactions with other Rocky fans worldwide further illustrate that he had indeed become an extension of a hugely influential cinematic legend and plays a role to keep the legacy alive.

Above all, The Pretender features Kunda’s touchingly respectful interaction with his idol, Sylvester Stallone. The attention to detail in Kunda’s transformation, his sincerity in mimicking Rocky's persona⁠—influences Stallone as well. The moments speak volumes about the silent yet powerful bond between an icon and a seemingly ordinary fan.

The Pretender is an incredibly well-crafted documentary that is not just about Rocky's superfandom but also about examining the human spirit, ambition, successes, failures, the world of dreams, and more. It passionately tells Kunda’s story in his own words, capturing his undying spirit that is as exhilarating and endearing as the man himself. It's evident that the film is not about imitation solely; it’s more about aspiration, authenticity, and fascination within people's lives and how this fascination shapes us.

Overall, The Pretender paints a raw, affecting, and resonant portrait of Mike Kunda, a man who found solace, purpose, and a unique identity in the realm of Rocky Balboa's world. It stands testament to the age-old saying - life can, indeed, imitate art. It is a perspective-changing film that shifts our views from fandom to obsession, then, more compellingly, to idolization.

Undeniably, The Pretender, through its evocative narrative and candid insights into Kunda’s life, encourages its audiences to pursue what they love fearlessly, no matter how eccentric or outlandish it might appear to others. It takes viewers on an enlightening journey to explore art's universal influence on personal identity, aspiration, and life. Whether or not you are a fan of Rocky, this film is bound to leave you inspired and touched.