View The Review
8 out of 10
Having made his name in the squared circle, aging wrestler Randy 'The Ram' Robinson (Rourke) tours the local wrestling scene trying to relive former glories. With little more than a battered body and a few pieces of memorabilia to show for his toils, Randy begins to reassess his life. But is life without 'The Ram' too much of a reality for Randy?
Fighting is no stranger to Mickey Rourke. Having taken an acting hiatus during his early ascendancy in an attempt to forge a boxing career, Rourke has fought his way back to our screens where a number of small parts in films such as Once Upon a Time in Mexico and Man On Fire were capped off by a star turn as Marv in the screen adaptation of Sin City. But for all his efforts few would be willing to offer Rourke top billing, a decision that could see Rourke & director Darren Aronofsky rewarded come February 22nd.
For every Hulk Hogan there is an Ultimate Warrior; a once hero lost to the vaults of wrestling lore, shadowed by stories of drug abuse & misuse. And Rourke's Randy 'The Ram' is one such 'hero'. Living on the legend of his professional days, as referenced in the film's opening sequence; the audience is introduced to a man who masks his weaknesses; removing his hearing aid when entering a venue and maintaining his physique with a cocktail of painkillers & stimulants.
For Randy though the battle does not end in the ring. Aronofsky explores what happens to a man when his reason for being is slowly ebbing away. Randy struggles to integrate. He confides in Tomei's Casssidy, a stripper whose best days, like The Ram's have since past before attempting to reconcile the differences he has with his estranged daughter, Stephanie (Wood).
What Aronofsky does exceptionally well is explore the realm of wrestling beyond the pay per views, the make-up and the merchandise. Church halls double for Madison Square Garden, school changing rooms become medical facilities, and the ring rivalries so common in the megabucks franchises are replaced by conversations between combatants before making their grand entrance. His minimal use of music is justified as the emotion generated by the performers pours through their eyes and actions.
If Rourke is to receive a statuette in recognition of his performance it will represent a deserved and remarkable turnaround in the star's fortunes. Aronofsky deserves huge praise for creating a film about a much ridiculed 'sport' and giving it a respectability, while Tomei's performance as a lap-dancer with a heart is one that will surprise but leave you wanting more. Literally. The Wrestler is a high-flying championship contender.
Movie Website: www.foxsearchlight.com/thewrestler
Cast List:
Randy 'The Ram' Robinson: Mickey Rourke
Cassidy: Marisa Tomei
Stephanie Robinson: Evan Rachel Wood
Lenny: Mark Margolis
Wayne: Todd Barry
The Ayatollah: Ernest Miller
Tracklist:
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