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The Wrestler Movie Poster

CAST
MICKEY ROURKE
TODD BARRY
MARK MARGOLIS
ERNEST MILLER
WASS STEVENS
DYLAN KEITH SUMMERS
MARISA TOMEI
EVAN RACHEL WOOD

WRITTEN BY
ROBERT D.SIEGEL

PRODUCED BY
DARREN ARONOFSKY
SCOTT FRANKLIN

DIRECTED BY
DARREN ARONOFSKY

GENRE
ACTION
DRAMA
SPORT

RATED
AUSTRALIA:NA
UK:15
USA:R

RUNNING TIME
115 MIN

LINKS
IMAGES
MOVIE POSTERS

TRAILERS & CLIPS

THE WRESTLER (2008)

The fact that a film starring Mickey Rourke, as a has been professional wrestler seeking redemption, has garnered year best notices and awards acclaim, shows the often unpredictable nature of cinema.

Yet here it is, The Wrestler, a film which excels in writing, direction, and is bolstered by a commanding and heartfelt lead performance, worthy of Rourke’s talent.

Rourke stars as Randy “The Ram” Robinson, the star of the 1980’s wrestling circuit. Now well passed his prime, Randy looks every part the ‘80s relic: long blonde stringy hair, with a scar infested, muscular frame, glued together by pills and steroids.

The viewer first meets Randy wrestling for small bills in the barely there independent circuit held in gymnasiums and halls. Afterwards, he returns to his trailer home, only to find he has been locked out by his landlord, after failing to pay his rent. To compensate for his low income, he works part time at a supermarket, where he is bullied around by his prick, condescending boss (Todd Barry).

It is excrutiating to witness this character, and indeed Rourke, dissected and laid bare. Complimenting Rourke’s raw performance is the direction by Darren Aronofsky. His last two films were the visually exuberant Requiem for a Dream and The Foutnain. Here he opts for a stripped back to the bone approach, and it proves Aronofsky is a filmmaker who does not need vibrant imagery to tell a story.

Due to the constant physical anguish of his profession, Randy suffers a near fatal heart attack, and is forced to take stock of his damaged life. Chief among his concerns are the relationships with the two women in his life.   

First there is Cassidy, a stripper who is also passed her prime. The part is played by Marisa Tomei, who is very good in her role, yet it is a shame that her best work of late has come at the expense of appearing nude on film.

And, to his credit, Aronofsky has a way of making “titillating” entertainment, such as strips clubs or stag parties (Requiem for a Dream), disgustingly seedy affairs, which they are.

Second, is Stepahanie (Evan Rachel Wood), Randy’s estranged daughter. A heart to heart scene between Wood and Rourke displays the strength of Robert D. Siegel’s absorbing screenplay, as well as the depth of these two gifted actors, especially Rourke who is a well of emotion as a father yearning for his daughter.

By this time it is obvious there are parallels between Randy and Rourke, who used his own self imposed tragic life as a tool to inhabit his character. This is Rourke driving out old demons. This is God’s gift to him, and Rourke’s gift to us. Welcome back.

****
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