A Great Glimpse into the World of Wrestling
Added 2/7/2010
The life of a wrestler is undoubtedly an interesting one. A part of an orchestrated world of sports entertainment, it is easy for those a part of or fans of legitimate sports to dismiss the "fakeness" of wrestling. However, the life of a wrestler is indeed a difficult one as Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler demonstrates. A complete departure from his earlier films such as the existentialist Pi (1998) or the depressive Requiem for a Dream (2000), The Wrestler is a human tale of guilt and redemption in a world of enormous pitfalls and tragedy. The Wrestler tells the story of Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a 1980s wrestling celebrity who struggles past his prime in the 1990s and eventually finds himself in need of a coronary artery bypass surgery that effectively ends his career. Forced to face a "normal life," Randy attempts to begin a relationship with Cassidy (Marisa Tomei) a down-and-out stripper and repair a damaged relationship with his daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood).
As a 1980s wrestling legend, Randy Robinson is a part of the old guard of the American wrestling industry. During this period, wrestlers often entered into one-sided contracts in which non-participation due to injury meant no pay. The lack of pay meant an inability to feed for family or yourself for that matter. As a result, wrestlers compelled themselves to take any kind of performance-enhancing drugs or painkillers to make it through a grueling work schedule. The resulting factor meant the early deaths of several wrestlers from their chemical dependency and the self-destructive lifestyles they lived as a result of a fall from popularity. The recent deaths of Miss Elizabeth, Andrew "Test" Martin, Chris Benoit and Brian "Crush" Adams are a testament to this. Many of those who survived are still victims of broken families, drug addiction and destroyed lives. As many are condemned to the local circuit of "no-holds-barred" hardcore wrestling, wrestlers fight in brutally violent matches as shown in The Wrestler and live in the shadow of faded careers. Mickey Rourke's performance captures the desperation of wrestlers from the old guard who are forced to demean themselves and act out of sheer desperation. The fractured family of many athletes is also captured in Robert D. Siegel's screenplay as Randy Robinson attempts to regain trust with a daughter he abandoned.
Although it is one of the most unlikely of movies, The Wrestler focuses on the heartbreak of fallen wrestlers of a period of exploitation and apathy. It gives a comprehensive glimpse into the "fake" sport with the most real and binding of consequences. Mickey Rourke shines in the most poignant performance of his career seeing how Rourke's career runs amazingly parallel to Robinson's. Although depressing until the end, the unresolved yet triumphant conclusion is refreshing. The most positive thing to take from the film is the relief that the wrestling industry has significantly changed with it contractual agreements being mutually beneficially and the industry itself leaning more family-orientated than before both in its presentation on television and with the backstage banter. Ending on the performance of Bruce Springsteen's Golden Globe Award-winning composition "The Wrestler," the film concludes as the most spirited view of the wrestling world.
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The Wrestler
Added 2/3/2010
This is a drama about an aging professional wrestler, decades past his prime, who now barely gets by working small wrestling shows in VFW halls and as a part-time grocery store employee. As he faces health problems that may end his wrestling career for good he attempts to come to terms with his life outside the ring: by working full time at the grocery store, trying to reconcile with the daughter he abandoned in childhood and forming a closer bond with a stripper he has romantic feelings for. He struggles with his new life and an offer of a high-profile rematch with his 1980s arch-nemesis, The Ayatollah, which may be his ticket back to stardom. In this movie Mickey Rourke doesn't just play a wrestler, he is a wrestling star, he is Randy The Ram in every way. 'The Wrestler' is great. It's a rich, round movie that smoothly weaves together pathos and comedy and soul. It's funny and dramatic, tear-jerking and tough. Definitely a must see.
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Instant Classic
Added 1/29/2010
I love this movie. Netflix delivered the blu ray to my house and I have watched it twice and I will watch it again this weekend. I have never been a fan of Mickey Rourke and I have never been a fan of wrestling. None of that matters. Mickey Rourke should win best actor for this role. I don't know if he did or not because I don't watch award shows. This movie is EXCELLENT! Instant Classic. Right up there with Rocky. Maybe it is because I am approach 45 and having a mid life crisis or maybe because the 1980's were my best days too. Maybe because I love hair metal music or maybe because I agree with Randy The Ram "The 90's sucked!"
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"Bet I Can Make You Smile When The Blood It Hits The Floor. Tell Me Friend, Can You Ask For Anything More?"
Added 1/22/2010
The Wrestler tells the story of Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a former wrestling superstar now at the end of his career and reduced to performing at small events for chump change. The Ram lives in a trailer park and works part time stocking at a megastore. His main focus at the beginning of the film is keeping his aging body in shape for the ring. His life revolves around his workouts, visits to the gym, the tanning salon, and securing the drugs he needs to keep his pain and decay in check. His only outside interest seems to be spending time at a strip club, where he has forged an awkward relationship with stripper Cassidy (Marisa Tomei).
When Randy suffers a heart attack following a match, he is forced to reexamine his lifestyle and make some difficult choices concerning his future, both professional and personal. He attempts to reach out to his estranged daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood) and seeks a deeper relationship with Cassidy (whose real name is Pam), and tries to forge a new life outside of the ring by attempting to work a regular job behind the deli counter at the megastore.
The movie succeeds in its portrayal of the small independent wrestling scene. The film uses real wrestlers and locations, which really works to establish a real vibe. The main appeal of the movie, however, is the performance of the three principle actors. Without them, the story would be less compelling. Rourke is simply outstanding as Randy, the aging warrior whose body is beginning to betray him. Tomei shines as the single mother stripping to pay the bills, waiting for something better to come along. And Evan Rachel Wood almost steals the show as Stephanie, Randy's college-aged daughter, trapped in a love-hate relationship with her often absent father. The scenes between Rourke and Wood crackle with emotions, tender and volatile.
The other thing I really admire about this film are the little details. Randy drives a Dodge Ram van (natch), has an American flag (somewhat tattered) hanging behind his bed, listens to 80s hair metal, and wears reading glasses and a hearing aid when he's not in the ring. He's Hulk Hogan if the Hulkster was broke and living on food stamps. Small touches like this make Randy's world a very believable one. The Wrestler is a well-drawn look at the downside of the American Dream, the downhill ride that sometimes follows success. Even if you know nothing about wrestling, I highly recommend this picture, on the sheer strength of the acting performances alone.
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Original and real
Added 1/15/2010
This movie instantly became a classic in my personal collection. I have already watched it numerous times and it never gets old. Rouke's best performance by a long shot. With all of the remakes and sequels nowadays, this movie was a breathe of fresh air. A must see.
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A Great Glimpse into the World of Wrestling
Added 2/7/2010
The life of a wrestler is undoubtedly an interesting one. A part of an orchestrated world of sports entertainment, it is easy for those a part of or fans of legitimate sports to dismiss the "fakeness" of wrestling. However, the life of a wrestler is indeed a difficult one as Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler demonstrates. A complete departure from his earlier films such as the existentialist Pi (1998) or the depressive Requiem for a Dream (2000), The Wrestler is a human tale of guilt and redemption in a world of enormous pitfalls and tragedy. The Wrestler tells the story of Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a 1980s wrestling celebrity who struggles past his prime in the 1990s and eventually finds himself in need of a coronary artery bypass surgery that effectively ends his career. Forced to face a "normal life," Randy attempts to begin a relationship with Cassidy (Marisa Tomei) a down-and-out stripper and repair a damaged relationship with his daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood).
As a 1980s wrestling legend, Randy Robinson is a part of the old guard of the American wrestling industry. During this period, wrestlers often entered into one-sided contracts in which non-participation due to injury meant no pay. The lack of pay meant an inability to feed for family or yourself for that matter. As a result, wrestlers compelled themselves to take any kind of performance-enhancing drugs or painkillers to make it through a grueling work schedule. The resulting factor meant the early deaths of several wrestlers from their chemical dependency and the self-destructive lifestyles they lived as a result of a fall from popularity. The recent deaths of Miss Elizabeth, Andrew "Test" Martin, Chris Benoit and Brian "Crush" Adams are a testament to this. Many of those who survived are still victims of broken families, drug addiction and destroyed lives. As many are condemned to the local circuit of "no-holds-barred" hardcore wrestling, wrestlers fight in brutally violent matches as shown in The Wrestler and live in the shadow of faded careers. Mickey Rourke's performance captures the desperation of wrestlers from the old guard who are forced to demean themselves and act out of sheer desperation. The fractured family of many athletes is also captured in Robert D. Siegel's screenplay as Randy Robinson attempts to regain trust with a daughter he abandoned.
Although it is one of the most unlikely of movies, The Wrestler focuses on the heartbreak of fallen wrestlers of a period of exploitation and apathy. It gives a comprehensive glimpse into the "fake" sport with the most real and binding of consequences. Mickey Rourke shines in the most poignant performance of his career seeing how Rourke's career runs amazingly parallel to Robinson's. Although depressing until the end, the unresolved yet triumphant conclusion is refreshing. The most positive thing to take from the film is the relief that the wrestling industry has significantly changed with it contractual agreements being mutually beneficially and the industry itself leaning more family-orientated than before both in its presentation on television and with the backstage banter. Ending on the performance of Bruce Springsteen's Golden Globe Award-winning composition "The Wrestler," the film concludes as the most spirited view of the wrestling world.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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The Wrestler
Added 2/3/2010
This is a drama about an aging professional wrestler, decades past his prime, who now barely gets by working small wrestling shows in VFW halls and as a part-time grocery store employee. As he faces health problems that may end his wrestling career for good he attempts to come to terms with his life outside the ring: by working full time at the grocery store, trying to reconcile with the daughter he abandoned in childhood and forming a closer bond with a stripper he has romantic feelings for. He struggles with his new life and an offer of a high-profile rematch with his 1980s arch-nemesis, The Ayatollah, which may be his ticket back to stardom. In this movie Mickey Rourke doesn't just play a wrestler, he is a wrestling star, he is Randy The Ram in every way. 'The Wrestler' is great. It's a rich, round movie that smoothly weaves together pathos and comedy and soul. It's funny and dramatic, tear-jerking and tough. Definitely a must see.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Instant Classic
Added 1/29/2010
I love this movie. Netflix delivered the blu ray to my house and I have watched it twice and I will watch it again this weekend. I have never been a fan of Mickey Rourke and I have never been a fan of wrestling. None of that matters. Mickey Rourke should win best actor for this role. I don't know if he did or not because I don't watch award shows. This movie is EXCELLENT! Instant Classic. Right up there with Rocky. Maybe it is because I am approach 45 and having a mid life crisis or maybe because the 1980's were my best days too. Maybe because I love hair metal music or maybe because I agree with Randy The Ram "The 90's sucked!"
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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