Since its origins in ancient Rome, wrestling has evolved from two naked men grappling one another while people in togas cheered them on to…well, two almost-naked men grappling one another while drunken bros and rednecks cheer them on. I will admit, wrestling was a pretty big part of my life growing up. Watching Bret “The Hitman” Hart beat up the Undertaker led to countless backyard wrestling matches on my trampoline. So, when I first heard about the new movie The Wrestler, I assumed it would be your typical glitzy wrestler-with-a-heart-of-gold film. That is, until I heard it was directed by famed director Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, Pi). Instead, I was hit with one of the most depressing, moving, and all around mesmerizing films to come out in 2008.
The Wrestler is the story of Randy “The Ram” Robinson (played by 80s legend Mickey Rourke), a washed up, 40-something wrestler desperately trying to relive his glory days. It is apparent right off the bat that Robinson has taken quite a fall from grace: he is an old, beat-up man living in a trailer park, wrestling for a few die-hard loyal fans in VFW halls and small gyms around New Jersey. In the daytime, he works a meaningless supermarket job and, at night, he passes the time with Cassidy (played by a smoking hot Marissa Tomei), an aging stripper and the only person who pays him any attention. “The Ram” has no money, a family that doesn’t speak to him, and nothing to live for except to hear the roar of the crowd every time he steps into the ring. After suffering from a heart attack, Robinson must decide between retiring and finally fading away, or giving it one last shot at a 20th anniversary wrestling bout.
If there’s one thing you’ll walk away from this movie remembering, it’ll be the absolutely phenomenal acting of Mickey Rourke. At no point in the film did it feel like Rourke was merely an actor. For his entire two hours onscreen, he captured the true essence of Randy “The Ram” Robinson. Everything, from his technique in the ring to his natural charisma, makes you think Rourke has been professionally wrestling all his life. In a sense, the role was somewhat autobiographical. Battling a sinking career is something Rourke knows all too well. As a movie star of the 1980s who faded into obscurity by the dawn of the next decade, many consider The Wrestler to be Rourke’s comeback film.
One scene that truly stands out takes place between Robinson and his daughter, with Rourke delivering a dialogue that will bring tears to even the toughest critic. Tomei’s portrayal of the anti-heroine Cassidy serves as the perfect support for Rourke, and their cat-and-mouse relationship makes you wish for a happy ending, even when things are looking grim. Cinematically, Aronofsky delivers a film that seems more like a documentary than a movie. The camerawork is shaky at times, but fits the context of the film extremely well. Also, his choice of using real wrestlers as actors adds a sense of realism; the brotherhood between professional wrestlers can be clearly seen, as one scene shows them meticulously practicing their matches backstage.
The Wrestler has been playing in select theatres since December, but finally went nationwide on January 16, 2009. Fans of professional wrestling will enjoy this film just as much as those looking for a touching, heartbreaking drama. Plus, Bruce Springsteen wrote a song specifically for the film. That should be enough reason to go see it.
