Still with us? Good. Sylvester Stallone as Rocky is basically stalking his son, played by Milo Ventimiglia, trying to find a meaningful minute with him. Many of us with grown children of our own identify. The son is estranged, angry about his father’s overbearing success, his own personal losses and the general challenges of growing into adulthood. Fair enough.

But enough is enough. After one final rebuff, Rocky finally explodes, with pearls of hard-won wisdom coming through his cauliflower lips. In brief, he tells his son that it’s time for him to stop worrying about what other people think, to push through the obstacles life sends one’s way and to take your rightful, empowered place in the world.

Quick fade. Next scene. And here’s the empty nester’s fantasy. Son has epiphany. No, he doesn’t realize he’s got to stop hanging around his home town and move to NYC to make a name for himself (like my son did); nor does he say, in so many words, you’re right about giving up worrying about what other people think—and the first person I’m going to stop worrying about is what you think (like my daughter did…)

And, while we’re at it, forget about adult development expert Erik Erikson’s call to the elders in society to provide generative support to the coming-of-age of the next generation by graciously passing the baton. Nope. Little Milo goes and quits his job, moves in with Daddy (metaphorically if not literally, but I think it may be both) and devotes himself to helping Rocky win back the title. Yep. No moving cross the country to find himself. No coming to recognize his own talents and abilities and going for a better job. No standing up to overbearing father. If I recall, in the last scene, he’s doing something like carrying Rocky’s silk robe as the crowds are crying in unison: Rocky, Rocky, Rocky!

Ah, empty nesters. Dream on.

Carol Orsborn