Sometimes a movie comes along that’s heartwarming, story of an underdog who fights his way to the top, sending everyone in the theater home with happy thoughts and warm feelings.
The Wrestler isn’t one of those movies.
Mickey Rourke plays broken down pro wrestler Randy 'The Ram' Robinson, who saw his peak in the 80’s, but finds himself in 2008, struggling to make rent, or even to continue living his dream.
This movie is a very interesting look at the business of pro wrestling – tanning sessions, steroid use (out in the open), partying and, strangely enough, plenty of wrestlers who are more than happy to lose to a legend like Ram. Yes, its official – wrestling is fixed, but these guys still take plenty of punishment.
But this film is more than that. You get to look into the soul of Ram, especially after a match when he collapses in the locker room, awakening to a world in which wrestling is no longer a part of his life.
Rourke is able to sell the viewer on watching a man giving up his life, because that is what wrestling represents to Ram – everything in his life. He has lost everything else his former celebrity status brought him, but he still lives for those few moments before being called onto the stage, where the crowd is jacked and chanting his name. The situation is a catch 22 – Ram can’t wrestle because it could kill him, yet giving up wrestling is giving up the only thing in his life that matters (to him).
Rourke nails the role. He IS the wrestler, a man from a difficult industry with a violent nature, and behind the curtains he has mellowed with age, shares his wisdom with youngsters and just can’t stay away from the ring. You can see throughout the movie he isn’t afraid to let loose when angry, but that he is more than just a meathead trying to bash skulls.
Another delightful part of the movie is Marisa Tomei, who not only nails her role (as a stripper), but is naked for a good portion of it, which is nice. Very nice – good work Marissa! I believe the comment of the night was, “she was a better stripper than most real strippers!”
Haha – but I digress…
So go see the Wrestler – I don’t really want to give any details about it, other than its good, a kind of character study movie more than one where the plot will blow you away. While this flick isn’t the earth shattering best-of-2008, it will have you leaving the theater with a lot to think about and a completely new view on Rourke, who transforms himself into The Wrestler.
The Wrestler isn’t one of those movies.
Mickey Rourke plays broken down pro wrestler Randy 'The Ram' Robinson, who saw his peak in the 80’s, but finds himself in 2008, struggling to make rent, or even to continue living his dream.
This movie is a very interesting look at the business of pro wrestling – tanning sessions, steroid use (out in the open), partying and, strangely enough, plenty of wrestlers who are more than happy to lose to a legend like Ram. Yes, its official – wrestling is fixed, but these guys still take plenty of punishment.
But this film is more than that. You get to look into the soul of Ram, especially after a match when he collapses in the locker room, awakening to a world in which wrestling is no longer a part of his life.
Rourke is able to sell the viewer on watching a man giving up his life, because that is what wrestling represents to Ram – everything in his life. He has lost everything else his former celebrity status brought him, but he still lives for those few moments before being called onto the stage, where the crowd is jacked and chanting his name. The situation is a catch 22 – Ram can’t wrestle because it could kill him, yet giving up wrestling is giving up the only thing in his life that matters (to him).
Rourke nails the role. He IS the wrestler, a man from a difficult industry with a violent nature, and behind the curtains he has mellowed with age, shares his wisdom with youngsters and just can’t stay away from the ring. You can see throughout the movie he isn’t afraid to let loose when angry, but that he is more than just a meathead trying to bash skulls.
Another delightful part of the movie is Marisa Tomei, who not only nails her role (as a stripper), but is naked for a good portion of it, which is nice. Very nice – good work Marissa! I believe the comment of the night was, “she was a better stripper than most real strippers!”
Haha – but I digress…So go see the Wrestler – I don’t really want to give any details about it, other than its good, a kind of character study movie more than one where the plot will blow you away. While this flick isn’t the earth shattering best-of-2008, it will have you leaving the theater with a lot to think about and a completely new view on Rourke, who transforms himself into The Wrestler.
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