The Wrestler

Genre - Drama

Year Released - 2008

Running Time - 105 minutes

Directed by Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, and the upcoming re-make of Robocop)

Written by Robert D. Siegel (who was a former writer for The Onion)

Cast Includes:

Mickey Rourke (Angel Heart, Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man, Sin City, Spun, etc)

Marisa Tomei (The Toxic Avenger, My Cousin Vinny, Four Rooms, What Women Want, etc)

Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen, The Missing, The Life Before Her Eyes, Across the Universe, etc)

Rating: 4 Skulls

Plot Summary:

Retired professional wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson returns to the ring and tries to work his way up the circuit for a final shot at defeating his longtime rival. Along the way, he tries to reconnect with his daughter, Stephanie, while exploring a relationship with a stripper named Cassidy.

Review:

Both Mickey Rourke & Marisa Tomei were nominated for their acting in this film, and I can see why - both of them were great and I thought that their chemistry, together, really worked!

[with that said, especially now, having seen Rourke's performance, I do not see this being the same film, had it starred Nicolas Cage, as originally intended. My understanding is that Cage got the part, however Aronofsky was really hoping for Rourke and Cage gracefully bowed out - which is pretty cool, I must say. . .]

I do not watch professional wrestling [nor have I ever] yet I had no problem being enraptured with the story portrayed in this film. I am sure you have all heard of this film by now [what with the Oscar buzz around it and all] - Mickey Rourke portrays Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a wrestler past his prime [while at the same time, Marisa Tomei is realizing that she a stripper past her prime as well - though I would have no problem with her!] ;-) 

The kicker is Robinson's relationship with his daughter - while never really delving too deep [other than the fact that he left when she was younger] I felt bad for Robinson - really, this is a sad film, in more ways than one. However, I cannot deny its intensity - I was floored by the comradeship between the wrestlers and the abuse that they put themselves through! 

Not to mention that I was literally holding my breath during Robinson's last match, as I had no idea what the outcome was going to be - I literally had a sick feeling in my stomach [you'll understand when you see the film]

Definitely recommended!

Here's the trailer for the film:


Also, the film has a rockin' soundtrack!

Jason