Buy The Wrestler Movie. Watch online or Download
Genres: SportDr
Starring: Marcia Jean Kurtz, Mark Margolis, Evan Rachel Wood, Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Todd Barry, Wass Stevens
Director(s): Darren Aronofsky
Available Quality: Hi Def
Country: USA, France
Year: 2008
Available Quality: DivX, Hi Def, iPod, Hi Def
IMDB Rating: 8.1 out of 10 (140632 votes)
This is a drama about an aging professional wrestler, decades past his prime, who now barely gets by working small wrestling shows in VFW halls and as a part-time grocery store employee. As he faces health problems that may end his wrestling career for good he attempts to come to terms with his life outside the ring by working full time at the grocery store, trying to reconcile with the daughter he abandoned in childhood and forming a closer bond with a stripper he has romantic feelings for. He struggles with his new life and an offer of a high-profile rematch with his 1980s arch-nemesis, The Ayatollah, which may be his ticket back to stardom.
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The Wrestler (iPod) | Resolution: 480x192 px | Total Size: 335 Mb |
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The Wrestler (Hi Def) | Resolution: 852x352 px | Total Size: 760 Mb |
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The Wrestler (Hi Def) | Resolution: 1280x536 px | Total Size: 4475 Mb |
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The Wrestler (DivX) | Resolution: 640x256 px | Total Size: 1394 Mb |
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Movie Photos:
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Visitors Review
(24 May 2012)
Aranovsky is so Smart
After "Requiem for a Dream", I figured that Aranovsky had found all forms of despair that were to be discovered. He one-upped himself with "The Wrestler", a thoughtful foray into the life of "Randy the Ram". This is Mickey Rourke's big comeback, and Aranovsky pays tribute to Hiller's "Mommie Dearest", by not showing his face til the last sensible moment. Mickey Rourke is, indeed, remarkable; tough and sweet and sensitive at all the required moments. He was deserving of the many awards bestowed upon him. Marisa Tomei is also fine, in a complicated role that she handles brilliantly.Her innate sweetness is prevalent throughout, regardless of the moment. There's a few short moments involving Evan Rachel Wood, as Randy's daughter, that created the most angst, and brought out Randy's sweetness and sensitivity. Those were special moments, though brief. Mr. Aranofsky took a gamble casting Mickey, and it was a good call. He also took a gamble in "Requiem" making Jared Leto look ugly. I look forward to seeing Mickey Rourke bounce back, and I thank Mr. Aranovsky for giving him this opportunity. Mr. Aranovsky's next film about depravity may include Faye Dunaway (Mickey's co-star in "Barfly")...she needs a comeback. I love her. She's a maverick!
(24 May 2012)
One year too late...
This review is from: The Wrestler [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) It is dissapointing that the Academy Awards is allowing ten nominations next year. Had it been this year, The Wrestler would have been nominated hands down. Even that aside, I felt this movie should have been nominated instead of Milk, which I felt was nominated because of one reason, which I will not utter. This movie is NOT a wrestiling movie. Yes, it is about a wrestler, yes it has wrestling in it, but the fact of the matter is that it is about a broken down lonely man who tries to cope with a NEW life.I cannot praise Mickey Rourke's performance enough, he is without question outstanding, almost like he was born to play this movie. In fact, I have always liked Mickey Rourke, I think he is an outstanding actor, but has been in some lousy movies which have really affected his career.However, as much as Rourke is phenomenal in this movie, Evan Rachel Wood steals the show. Her performance should have garnered her a supporting actress nomination, AT LEAST! She is an incredible actress with a lot of potential. She will win an Osacar someday for sure. I think this movie was very well directed and had a great flow. The ending is very good, and it really tells you how this man shows what the TRUE love of his life is.
(21 May 2012)
Realistic and Can be appreciated by any Wrestling fan!
After reading through review after review of people talking about Mickey Rourke, I'm actually going to review the MOVIE these reviews are supposed to be about.The Wrestler is probably one of the best long time awaited movies by wrestling fans that remember the guys from the glory days and what became of them to date. Just watching this movie reminded me so much of a documentry I watched long ago about Jake The Snake and his real life struggles with his daughter and his demons. The Wrestler brings a true sense of realism to the silver screen and that's not something that happens too often. This movie is great for one thing, and that's "realism". An old wrestler who's glory days are behind him and has to work part time at a grocery store while still continuing matches on the side to get by,a worn down stripper who can't seem to settle down and have a real emotional relationship with a man,and a daughter who has been abandoned by her father for a majority of her life, and can't seem to find peace within herself. I mean these are real people, this is real life on film. At the beginning of the movie you see Randy The Ram as a Wrestler that can still keep himself on his feet, but as the movie goes on you really get to see just how thin thread that's holding him up truly is. To Randy The Ram, being a wrestler is his identity, it's what he has always known, and what has always motivated him to keep on moving. Even at the end of his career at the very bottom of it all, he still can't let go of it. Only towards the end of the movie do you get to realize why Randy does what he does. He Wrestles because the ring is that one place, where he truly feels at peace.
datasysxtreme (20 May 2012)
Amazingly "real" movie
This movie somehow got to me...actors are so "true" to their roles itis almost like watching real life...Story is not top of the line...but that's what makes this story soamazing...you start feeling this characters emotions.Movie also sort of "jumps" and changes the feel of "ambience" so tospeak...If you are average movie watcher you will be able to feelmoments of depressives, joy, and many other emotions...In the end...this movie is wroth watching purely cos' it is filled withemotions and "realnes" you didn't see in a long time...not in movies...a bit more complex storyline and i would give this movie 10... still igive it 8 out of 10 which makes it great movie!
jzappa (20 May 2012)
A Walloping Emotional Powerhouse
The Wrestler, a walloping emotional masterstroke, is about a man whocan do one thing well, and doggedly continues to do it because ofdesperation, drowsy ability, and pride that always needs a lot ofhealing. He's a professional wrestler. From someone who feels likestabbing himself in the head whenever he sees pro-wrestling on TV, thisremains one of the very best films of 2008. In a wrestling match, it'sscripted that the villain blindsides the hero, who acts as if hedoesn't see him, and body-slams him, but when the hero hits the floor,how does one fake that?Mickey Rourke plays the haggard, impoverished, abandoned hero, Randy"The Ram" Robinson. This is the performance of his life. And I meanthat in every way in which that sentence can be interpreted. This isRourke doing breathtaking physical acting. He has the corporeality of abody builder, maybe owing to some steroids, which would also beappropriate of Randy. He gets into the ring and does the extremelybloody work. His ring performances and the abuse he endures cement thebackbone for the story, which involves his estrangement from hisdaughter, played with chameleon-like persuasiveness by Evan RachelWood, and what he hopes will become a relationship with the stripperCassidy, played by the great beacon of Italian-American godesshoodMarisa Tomei, who never ages. Never ages! Except for his backstagebrotherhood with other wrestling veterans, whose peripheralperformances brilliantly discern between the big-hearted companionshipbackstage from the brutality on it, Randy has incinerates all hisbonds.Cassidy is as much a performer as Randy. They put on a show and givethe customers what they want. It pays the rent. There is always a voidbetween entertainers and their audiences. That's why so many of themmarry each other. But Randy has become wiser in certain marginalrespects with the years, less bedazzled by celebrity, more capable ofaccepting emotional longing. Randy has a residual friendliness andsweetness, which both helps and hurts him.Beyond the overwhelmingly putrefied atmosphere, the most absorbingaspect in Darren Aronofsky's powerhouse drama is the backstage nuanceof low-rung pro-wrestling. In the dreary snow and slop of New Jersey,Randy and his challengers make the rounds of dingy union halls, schoolgyms, community centers, using whatever they can find for makeshiftdressing rooms, duct-taping their wounds, priming their pumps andagreeing minutes before a match on its script. We grasp how they makethemselves bleed, concoct brutal "surprises," parley over each fight.And then the audience sees them. Their preparation merely sees thatthey get battered in the ways for which they prepare, and not inunanticipated ways.I cared as deeply about Randy the Ram as any movie character I've seenthis year. Machismo is something treated as inscrutable and distinctlycharacterized, and its residue cuts into all of us men, however machowe happen or choose to be. Aronofsky's manner of filming Rourkehand-held from behind powerfully signifies this. I have unqualifiedappreciation for an ubermasculine man with the physique and dominatingsneer of Mickey Rourke who so unabashedly renders a tremendouslymuscular man in a profession that takes culturally induced machismo tothe very extreme, and yet a man who can look behind his projected senseof self into a sentimental heart with needs, regrets and inferiorities.By the end, I was so mesmerized that I was surprised by the hard cut toblack.
(19 May 2012)
Great movie !
This review is from: The Wrestler [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) It makes you wonder hoe many of the old professional wrestlers are out there living this same kind of life. Marica Tomey is very hot in this, if nothing else you must check it out just for that.
(19 May 2012)
Fantastic All around
As a "manly man" this is one of the few films that makes the eyes water. This is one of those films that if you don't tear up, you're simply not human. This is up there with "Rudy" or "Crash" (where you think the little girl got shot) that evokes the deepest emotions fundamental to the human struggle. Simply said, this film is great in all of it's aspects. Aronofsky brings his directing style to this great story and uses his typical quick, contrasting cuts. He juxtaposes contrasting scenes jolting the watcher into not only seeing the differences, but also the similarities and the ongoing themes that run strong throughout the movie.
(19 May 2012)
ONe of the BEST comeback movies from a GREAT actor that's been missed
"The Wrestler"is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time.Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei are exceptional.The movies filmed like a reality show,with the camera following the actors.The ending is great.We don't know whats going to happen to the main charater,but he's dong what he loves the most.I just don't understand why Bruce Springteen wasn't nomanated for an Oscar for song of the year.
(10 May 2012)
Leaving but the Fighter Still Remains
A Simon and Garfunkel song of the 1960s called "The Boxer" tells the story of a washed-up fighter who responds to his life with determination and fortitude. After the singer recounts the humiliations he has faced in and outside of the boxing ring, the song concludes: "I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains./ I am leaving but the fighter still remains." This movie and DVD, "The Wrestler" has much of the grittiness of the Simon and Garfunkel song as it tells of a character who must follow his chosen path at all costs. Among other things, the movie also reminded me of the tough, shabby yet intense world of the underground writer Charles Bukowski. In the 1980s, Mickey Rourke, who has the lead role in this movie played Bukowski's alter ego Henry Chinanski in an adaptation of Bukowski's short story "Barfly". Most of the time, people need to stay within themselves to give their lives meaning. This seems to me to be the theme of "The Wrestler." Mickey Rourke, who has just won a Golden Globe award for his performance, plays an aging pro wrestler, Randy "The Ram Robinson". The Ram had fought a battle with a wrestler named The Ayatollah in the 1980s, but 20 years later is reduced to cheap matches in small arenas. The Ram lives alone in a trailer park near Elizabethtown, New Jersey. After a particularly violent match, the Ram suffers a heart attack. His doctor tells him not to fight again. The Ram attempts to find meaning in his life apart from wrestling in a romantic involvement with an aging stripper, Cassidy (Maria Tormei), in making amends with his estranged daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood) and in taking a day job at a deli meat counter. Believing himself a failure in each of these three respects, The Ram returns to the life he knows: that of a pro wrestler in a rematch with the Ayatollah, even though he is aware that it could cost him his life. The movie has realistically effective scenes of the life of pro wrestlers, of their cameraderie and of the pain they endure even during staged matches, and of their fans. The scenes of the wrestling world are matched by the scenes in the strip club, with Cassidy in both her toughness and her vulnerability. The Ram is shown living alone in his shabby trailer, continuing his training, showing a substantial degree of introspection, and trying futily to make amends to his daughter. The characters and their environs are portrayed effectively, and both Rourke and Tomei give convincing performances. In addition to the Simon and Garfunkel song and to Bukowski, there are parallels to this movie in "Raging Bull" in "Rocky" and in other movies. The plot may be simple but it remains effective. The acting, the realistic atmosphere, and the quest by the two main characters to find meaning in life in harsh circumstances make this DVD memorable. Robin Friedman
pschilling1 (10 May 2012)
Mickey Rourke plays Mickey Rourke
I honestly don't know what all the hype is. Sure Rourke can act. Mostpeople that saw movies like 9 1/2 Weeks and Angel Heart already knewthat. But this latest role wasn't much of a stretch... he plays awashed up, circus-type character in the movie that probably isn't toofar off the mark in his own life of wrong decisions and abuse.Rourke is seen here playing about the only character he can and stillbe taken seriously at after what he's done to his body and face. So,throughout the movie, when it's required of me to feel sorry for orroot for this guy who is a washed up star, I'm lost between Rourke'scharacter and Rourke himself. When I see a movie, I usually want tostay IN THE MOVIE.In terms of a theme... I mean, yeah, it's sad - guy who was oncesuccessful realizes too late in life that his life has passed him byand he's left with a broken down body, a daughter who's disowned him,and without a real income. But do I feel sorry for the character who,even in the midst of realizing his life is over, still chooses a barstool and sleeping out of the back of his van? There is no benefit forme to invest my faith into a character like this. They gave thecharacter a good heart (only figuratively) and he's pleasant to peoplearound him but I expect him to lose in the end and I don't care that hedoes.He and Carrot Top should exchange numbers through their respectiveagents. Bet they'd have a lot to discuss in therapy together.
(08 May 2012)
A tour of seediness, violence and profanity
Most reviews of this movie speak in superlatives, even the major newspapers. I must differ. For me, this praise shows how far we have fallen as a culture. We seem to no longer remember or appreciate movies with subtlety, intelligence, beauty, wit, grace, a good script, or good photography. None of these are in evidence in "The Wrestler". Instead we are given endless, overly long scenes of profanity and violence. It's geared to the lowest common denominator, as so many movies are today.Those who buy jeans with holes and dirt already manufactured in will probably think the movie is "cool". Regarding the protagonist, we should know by now if one leads a life full of stupidity and bad decisions, the outcome will be bad. Like, duh. So I won't dignify the movie with learned analysis, as so many misguidedly have. I might as well write a tome on Jack and the Beanstalk. Even the production quality of the movie was poor, with a grainy and shaky image (at least as I saw it in the theater; I haven't seen the DVD, so I can't speak to that). There have been many prize-fighter movies with great dramatic quality, but this is not one of them. For example, "Champion", staring Kirk Douglas, was one such movie among others. Another would be "The Harder They Fall". I would rate those 4-5 stars. The vast majority here gave the movie 5 stars. When you think back to all of the truly 5 star movies of the last 60 years, do you honestly think "The Wrestler" belongs in that league? What? Actually have dialog with depth, subtlety or wit ?(i.e., something beyond grunts and trailer park profanity). Can't have that! Just have violent scenes interspersed with grunge for a couple of hours and everything is great! That's the formula for today's movies. I attribute the many 5 stars given to this movie to the long-term coarsening and dumbing-down of our society. Young people don't know any better because they are immersed in it from birth. That deadens their appreciation for anything more refined. They are not aware of the longer term descent of art and culture. Much the same could be said of today's music. Take away good melody and harmony, and what is left?
(08 May 2012)
Good performances; good movie.
See Mickey Rourke's Oscar nominated performance as Randy "The Ram" Robinson. He does a great job in his portrayal of Ram. The movie shows what goes on behind the scenes in the world of wrestling. Marisa Tomei (also Oscar nominated for her supporting role) plays a stripper mom with a heart. Good performances; good movie.
movie454545 (07 May 2012)
It delivers!
Gritty, realism--like a Lucien Freud painting set in Elizabeth, NewJersey. Please know that not all of New Jersey is this ugly but it'sthe side of our state that is showcased in films of all kinds. Some of these details in the film blew my mind. 1. The florescent glow of Randy's tan as he pleads with his daughter togive him a second chance at fatherhood in the middle of Winter justreminds you that there's no hope for reconciliation. It fades.2. Needle dropping the roar of wrestling fans as he heads into work forhis first day as a butcher.3. Brando-like moments. A friend pointed this out and he was right. Imean there's that line at the end that reminded me of ON THE WATERFRONT. I read in another review that maybe this is the only role Rourkecould've hit out of the park. Does that matter?They tell us a 6 million dollar movie is extremely cheap but I thinkthe budget probably added to the grit. There's some hand cam like shotsthat added to the realism. I often wonder how much and episode of, say,SMALLVILLE costs. Does that cost 6 million? I know they have to make aprint but...This film lived up to the hype. I only hated one scene --when the maincharacter's reminisce about 80s hair metal. It's just too painful &repulsive.Even though its been a long time since BARFLY they might as well handRourke the Oscar now.
frederic-127-281006 (06 May 2012)
Heart breaking
I am a fan of Mickey Rourke. I always was. This is the story of a manwho has nothing left in life. His daughter is gone. His only friend, astrip dancer, is there, but he knows that it is going to be tough forher. There is a point of no return he has crossed. So he goes to theend of his destiny, which is what a hero does. He chooses his way ofgoing because his heart cannot take it anymore. I really thought hewould make it as a salesman in the supermarket. He was so funny andfull of life. But no, destiny did not want it. An unforgiving daughterand a dark night alone in the snow sealed his destiny. It is a truelesson of life. Because losers are not the one we think. There are nolosers. There are missing opportunities, missing words. The daughtershould have told him it was okay. The dancer should have told him hecould watch her dance. And that lady in the supermarket should haveknown that it is a human being who is doing the service, not a robot.Like drops of rain, one after the other, small and innocent, because noone will ever say he is guilty of pushing another person to suicide,all these drops will go and wash someone away. I have really cried atthe end of that movie. It is heart breaking. Where is God? Where isredemption and forgiveness? Why is it that we cannot say that a smileand to say "Yes, it is okay" would save one person? And to save one isto save the world. Gone is the Ram to the green valley of troubledsouls. He loved kids, and he will not be alone in the other world.Thank you for this movie!! And thank you, Mr Rourke. I know what itmeans to play like this. Heart breaking.
(04 May 2012)
Great performance by Rourke
I thought The Wrestler was a decent film and Mickey Rourke's performance is what sealed the deal. He did a great job in portraying a wrestler who's seen his glory days and is just hanging on to survive. Rourke gives a very subtle, nunanced performance that comes across so naturally. While I didn't really care for the film as a whole, it's basically about Rourke's character The Ram and his performance more than made up for any kind of holes in the film itself. Don't expect to be blown away by the film but if you want to enjoy a moving portrayal of a guy who's down and out yet doesn't feel sorry for himself, I think it's a good film to watch.
(04 May 2012)
Mickey Rourke Got Robbed of the Oscar.
Viewed: 4/09, 8/11Rate: 74/09: The long wait had finally come to end today as The Wrestler came out for the first time on DVD. Ever since the movie first appeared in theatres, I knew that it was going to be an excellent picture because of Mickey Rourke's fitting personality with the nature of the film. It made sense to me, and as the months went by, the rave reviews started to build up more and more as I became more and more excited for him. The most fun I've had watching an awards show was the Golden Globes which was hilarious because of Bruce Springsteen's win for Best Song and Darren Aronofsky's flipping of the bird which went uncensored during Mickey's speech for the Best Actor award. Surely, Mickey got nominated for the Academy Awards, and the most exciting awaited moment would finally come for me to see him to win the award. I've always hated those shows, but I was psyched about this one. That night, the award show seemed to go on forever until the Best Actor Award presentation. I had my hopes very high for Mickey and wanted to see what he might do and predicted that he'll probably cry. By the time the winner was revealed, that was the most shocking and the worst moment I can remember in a long time. Anyway, back to the movie, it was no surprise to me...Mickey gave the performance of his career in The Wrestler, and I've seen plenty of his movies, but in The Wrestler, that was his boldest ever. It was truly a tour de force performance that made the film to be the depressing version of Rocky. I was also pleased with Marisa Tomei's performance. She is a stunningly beautiful woman in reality, but in The Wrestler, I was surprised that the director wanted to tone down that beauty factor of hers which I thought was a great move. It did work, and it made her to fit in the movie as whole without standing out that much. However, I am somewhat disappointed with the direction of the film; it is just not as deep as I hoped, and there were too many close-ups which gave me a headache. I preferred the camera to be pulled back away from the characters. Also, I wanted more depth out of Mickey, and I wanted more depth out of the story. I didn't feel there was enough of it in The Wrestler. So, mainly I relied on Mickey Rourke's performance to guide me from start to finish, and it was a great experience. He really took his craft to another level when he played as the beat-down wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson. The film was heart-wrenching and harrowing to watch as The Ram continues to sink himself into new lows. In a way, The Wrestler reminded me of Raging Bull because the stories were quite similar and the self-degradation of each of the main characters wasn't different in sense. Most of the time while watching The Wrestler, I kept thinking of the documentary with Jake "The Snake" Roberts and how similar the material was to his life. All in all, The Wrestler brought out the best of Mickey Rourke, and he finally had come alive after two decades of self-destruction. Hey, I wanted to make a comment about the stapler scene. Although it's just a movie, I see that the wrestlers had stapled each other, and of course, it is fake. So why not fake it instead of doing it for real as it was supposed to be the intention on the film? Anyway, I am looking forward to another Mickey Rourke film as long as it's not of comic book crap.8/11: It was clear at 2009 Academy Awards Show that Mickey Rourke got robbed of the Best Actor Oscar. The film, mostly the direction and the cinematography, wasn't good as people think. It was Mickey that made it to float and stay buoyed because he was the star and gave one of the best performances of his career. In so many ways, and for a good reason, The Wrestler was the film that had to be made, and it was the film that was meant for Mickey to star in. Anyone, like I did, who grew up watching WWF and its counterparts during the 80's and 90's will fondly remember the names of the wrestlers, the legendary matches, what performers they were, and how they died later. And then, anyone who watched the early Mickey Rourke films of 80's and early 90's will fondly remember what an enormous talent he was before his crash and burn. Combining both, it was a remarkable comeback for Mickey Rourke and a justified story what professional wrestling was all about. All in all, Mickey should have won the Oscar in 2009. By the way, Marisa Tomei wasn't that good in the film; I guess she got the nod for a nomination for appearing naked. I am dropping the rating of the film from `8' to `7'.
charles. (01 May 2012)
A long time since a movie i've seen deserves an A+
What a great movie. Just saw it and really felt like it told a really touching story. Really worth watching and highly recommend this, even if you aren't the biggest wrestling fan. Overally i give this movie a huge thumbs way up!!
frogsupmyarse (01 May 2012)
Gritty Effort From The Square Ring
I went into the this film not sure if i had to be a fan of wrestling orfollower of Rourke to enjoy this one, but having now watched it i thinkmaybe you'l enjoy this more if your neither, and approach this moviewith an open mind.The story revolves the decaying life of professionalwrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson played by Rourke who personifieseverything you imagine a former wrestler to resemble from the steroidfueled muscles, the battered face weathered from years of abuse fromboth inside and outside the ring accompanied by long bleached hair andmost importantly the personality.We find "The Ram" still chasing a return to the big time that he seemsto believe can be his salvation from the mediocrity that he inhabits ona daily basis but despite his enduring self believe that a return togreatness is just around the corner, his body cannot take the physicalstrain he places upon it and he suffers a heart attack following theconclusion of a bout. This is the real start of the real core of hemovie as Rourke excels portraying a man who is drowning in sea of hisown loneliness, desperate to keep his head above water grabbing on towhatever he can to selfishly preserve himself, in this case hisdaughter Stephanie played by Evan Rachael Wood and a lap dancer playedby Marisa Tomei, both of whom add real acting dept to this movie.Tomei's strong performance here reminds you of what a watchable actressshe is playing Cassidy a lap dancer favored by Robinson in a localstrip club. Looking great, Tomei still manages to portray a characterstrong in spirits, who still has ambitions to better herself despiteworking in what feels like arena of broken dreams and gin soaked heartache.When on screen with Robinson you get the feeling that she could bethe one person with the ability to save him and give him some sort ofspiritual fulfillment outside the ring he increasingly longs for.The scenes between Robinson and his daughter highlight just how selfishhis pursuit of glory has been to the people nearest to him as heattempts to mend their fractured relationship and construct what youbelieve is his interpretation of a normal life, working in a delicounter where you see flash's of showmanship as Robinson tries to woohis customers with his charm in a bid to find his own acceptance withhis new found station in life.The story line of a washed up sports star is not a new concept but whatsets this movie apart from others in the genre is that Rouke'scharacter is very much a true representation of a real person with veryreal flaws.This is not the story of a fallen hero returning but of aman desperately seeking validation of his existence and theestablishment of some sort of legacy before he dies. So engrossed inhis belief that the life of a wrestling star is his sole chance forredemption he knowingly allows himself to sabotage the chance toreconcile with his daughter in exchange for physical gratificationderiving from a chance encounter in a bar and follows it up destroyinghis improving relationship with Cassidy as his ego consumes him.Robinson comes to the conclusion that he doesn't belong in a normallife, and maybe he doesn't belong in life at all if he cant wrestle sohe walks away from his attempts at normality and straight towards thewrestling ring and potentially his death.The film poignantly concludes in the ring as it began where "The Ram"at peace in the adoration of strangers decides to perform, a decisionyou feel will be fatal, and as he climbs the ropes you cant help butmuse if he is sentencing himself to death for the guilt he feels aboutshort comings in his own life and the hurt he causes those around himor because he is human, scared, lonely and see's no way out but tofight no matter what the cost.
mgayles2005 (30 April 2012)
A movie thats powerful, deep, and realistic...and its about something fake...
It's no secret that professional wrestling is fake, but that's only toa certain extent. It's staged, which means the events in the ring areplotted out in advance. Chairs are smashed across faces, three hundredpound men leap from twenty feet in the air, weapons come from under themat, and the wrestlers involved never take any permanent damage.Despite the obvious truth about the sport you would never tell a prowrestler what he does is fake. That's because sport is played by realpeople who put their lives on the line for their sport. "The Wrestler"is all about stripping the illusion away from the sport and showing usa wrestler named Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a wrestler ten years pasthis prime. Randy attempts to keep his glory days of the 80's alive,even at the risk of his own life. Thanks to the script by Robert D.Seigel, the direction of Darren Aronofsky, and the incredibleperformance of Mickey Rourke, the wrestler becomes so realistic itcould be mistaken for a documentary.Inside the ring Randy is well respected and admired. The youngerwrestlers look up to him, seek his advice and encouragement. Outsidethe ring reality bites: Randy lives in a trailer park and works at asmall grocery store to support him. In once scene is rent is late andhe is forced to sleep in his trailer. What led him to that point isn'tclearly explained but you can figure it out. A many years of selfdestructive behavior have left his body damaged, along with most of hisrelationships. We seem him buying steroids before a match. in anotherscene he abuses cocaine. This leads to a near fatal heart attack thattakes him out of wrestling for good.While out of the game he tries to mend broken fences. He has a daughterhe's doesn't know very well. She's grown up to be a lesbian. He doeshis best to slowly work his way back into her life. His love interestis an aging stripper played by Marissa Tomei. She's also past herprime. She roams the strip club offering lap dances and getting deniednumerous times. Who in their right mind would turn down Marissa Tomei?The wrestling scenes are fare more entertaining and insightful thenanything in the WWE. Randy hides a razor blade in his pads just so hecan make himself bleed at the appropriate moment. There's a brutalmatch involving glass, nails, barbed wire and a staple gun. Randy andthe Necro Butcher (a real life wrestler) puncture each other's skinwith a staple gun, and the staples are real. After the match theparamedics pull the staples out.Without the performance of Mickey Rourke "The Wrestler" would not be asauthentic as it is. Prior to his role in this film, Rourke had become ajoke, a parody of himself. A former pretty boy actor who destroyed hisface during his short lived boxing career (I guess he wasn't very good)and tried to fix it with plastic surgery. It was not a very goodcombination, and it becomes painfully clear in this movie. But themagic forces of life gave the fallen actor a break when Aronofsky toldthe producers that he didn't want Nicholas Cage, he wanted Mickey. Ican't credit him enough for kicking Cage to the curb: A fine actor butnot right for the part. Mickey was born to play Randy "The Ram"Robinson. He became Randy so convincingly because he is Randy. Hisperformance is dripping with so much authenticity it's hard to tellwhere Mickey begins and Randy ends. It's the comeback of a lifetime.The Academy nominated him for best actor, an award he deserves to win.He will win it. While he faces tough competition the other four actorsare just playing dress up compared to the performance Mickey displays.Nothing about it feels forced, or fake. You believe he's the characterfrom the first shot and all the way into the last. Marissa Tomei wasalso nominated for best supporting actress. She also deserved the nod,but not the victory. Why didn't Aronofksy, or Seigel get nominated?Without the realistic writing, and focused direction those twoperformances would never be. And "The Wrestler" as a whole is easilythe best movie of 2008. You can't convince everybody, especially thestiffs at the Academy. How ironic that two excellent movies about menin outrageous costumes got snubbed this year .I think you know what theother movie is.
(29 April 2012)
STANDING UP FOR THE WWE
Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.The Wrestler is a movie about Randy 'The Ram' Robinson (Mickey Rourke) who was once wrestling's biggest superstars but now his stardom and his career are fading along with his personal relationship with his daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood) and a stripper Pam who also has a stage name Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), even worse is his fleeting popularity with the fans. The movie is shot in a somewhat documentary style and compliments the directors vision of in your face realism. I went to see this movie when it first hit my local theater and I must admit that I am a huge wrestling fan. I grew up watching the likes of Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and many wrestling greats. I was eagerly anticipating the behind the scenes action and it delivered. Not only does this movie pay homage to the wrestling superstars of today it also reminds us to never forget about the superstars of yesterday, whose names are not currently up in lights. There is considerably enough humor, emotion and complexity in Randy, s personal life to keep a non fan sated but its unbelievable ability to touch a fan is most profound and it succeeds with flying colors. In my opinion 'The Rams' relationship with the fans are much more complex than Randy's personal relationships. This is best demonstrated as 'The Ram' is seen greeting and acknowledging two disabled fan's just outside the door to ring side. Here are two fans that probably know all that there is to know about 'The Ram' but perhaps know very little about Randy. I personally doubt that they would want to know either; you see, wrestling is about making heroes and villains, it shows us the beauty of love, the ugliness of hate and gives us fans a proper outlet to appropriately express it. This movie made me laugh and cry. I laughed the most at scenes of Randy's day job where at a deli he tries to use humor to get him through the day and again in a later scene where Randy's stage name 'The Ram' suddenly takes on a whole new meaning. I really enjoyed those scenes. I choked up a few times, in particular the part where Randy is seen playing Nintendo with a little boy who isn't interested (not really) in hearing stories about The Ram. To me this was sad because back in the early 80's wrestlers were devoid of proper media marketing such as Internet, Dud's, Cd's, etc... not to mention the lack of popularity wrestling had with the mainstream. (Note: The fact that the business held onto the idea that wrestling was absolutely real added to this. It wasn't until after a superstar 'open hand slapped a 20/20 news reporter (twice) who asked him if wrestling was fake, that WWE admitted, "Although the story lines are fixed the matches were absolutely real". That is what launched it into the mainstream.) Reinforcing this is a later scene in which, you see former superstars at a fan signing resting their heads on tables while another is actually sewing. The young fans don't care about them anymore, they are left with a disregard that I'm sure was tougher for them to live with than the injuries that they had endured. It hurts me so deeply that people consistently mock and make fun of the die-hard passion between the wrestlers and the fans that I got more emotional while writing this review than I care to admit. I have witnessed more compassion and love from the men and women in this business then I have seen from those in any other popular sport. As far as WWE superstar appearances, there are plenty, but most important to me was a cameo appearance by WWE newcomer R-Truth. Where he asks Randy "So how you been man?" Randy answers "Hangin and swangin' my brotha." that is priceless topped off with R-Truth saying" I'm buyin.'" is something only a fan can truly appreciate and it brings a smile to my face every time. It upsets me to know the sacrifice and undying commitment these superstars give to the fans night after night and for some (superstars and fans alike) that is the only family they have left. This movie will pick you up and slam you down, again and again. At the heart of this emotional roller coaster is a 'Rocky' like tribute. While Randy is talking on a pay phone we hear him say "I don't give an s--- I just want to wrestle." This is a really good movie for Fans and Non fans alike and although as a fan I wanted to stand up and cheer I couldn't because I was too floored to move. I walked away with a feeling that although the sport might be staged, maybe just once because of this movie, everyone can appreciate just what wrestling entertainment is really all about.
Review total: 20, showing from 1 to 20