THE WRESTLER

Starring:
Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood and Ernest Miller

Director:
Darren Aronofsky

Running Time:
115 mins

Out to buy on Blu-Ray/DVD 01/06/09

 

"I just don't want you to hate me"

In the 1980s, Randy 'The Ram' Robinson (Rourke) was the main man in professional wrestling but twenty years later he doesn't quite have the same fame and fortune. Still wrestling on the New Jersey amateur circuit as the big name draw, he heart is still in it but his body is suffering. As it takes him longer and longer to recover, he has to look at his own life outside of the ring and he realise that he will have nothing and will be very alone. His one friend is Cassidy (Tomei), a stripper who has her own problems but when she suggests that he get back in touch with his estranged daughter Stephanie (Wood) he realises that he might just have something to live for.

Sometimes in an actor's career a script comes along that could just have the defining role for them and with 'The Wrestler' this is true for Mickey Rourke.

Fame is a fickle thing. It is easy for one of the biggest stars in the world to fall from grace and disappear off the radar but it is the world of independent that can resurrect a career and make them superstars again. Just look what happened to John Travolta when he starred in a little movie directed by one Quentin Tarantino, 'Pulp Fiction'. Back in the 1980s, Mickey Rourke was considered to be one of the most talented actors working in Hollywood with critical and commercial hits like, 'Body Heat', 'Diner', 'The Pope of Greenwich Village', 'Rumble Fish', 'Year of the Dragon', 'Angel Heart' and the controversial sexual thriller '9½ Weeks' but after becoming disillusioned with been known as an actor and wanting to try his hand at professional boxing in the early 90s. After a while the draw of acting came back to him but he never really recaptured the attention or the fame that had graced him in those heady, early days, until now.

Even with noticeable performances in 'Spun', 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico', 'Man on Fire' and as Marv in 'Sin City', these were all small or supporting role but when he was cast in Darren Aronofsky's 'The Wrestler' his chance to be a leading man again. As Randy 'The Ram' Robinson, a huge wrestling star in the 1980s that is still grappling on the local New Jersey amateur circuit he creates a character that has trouble coming to terms with his lack of fame and his fear of having to retire as his body struggles to cope with the damage. This is a role that cried out for an actor who could connect with the character's fame and fortune been taken away and having to meat out a living on past glories and Rourke grabs the chance, wrestles with it and slams it home. This is a monumental performance from a forgotten actor and one that will be the cornerstone of his career and the one that he will be remembered for, and rightly so. Doing all his own stunts and throwing himself into the extremely realistic wrestling scenes, this is a performance that goes above and beyond.

For director Darren Aronofsky, this is his first movie that will appeal to a wider audience and shows that he can produce more market friendly fair. His previous films 'Pi' and especially 'Requiem for a Dream', were extremely good films but neither of them would appeal to a multiplex crowd. The same could be said for 'The Fountain', which was a stunning piece of fantasy science fiction but that still struggled to connect with a larger audience. Even with the bounty of critical acclaim and cult status the director has earned within the film community, he has struggled with a appealing to a broader audience but 'The Wrestler' should change all of this. The story of struggle of growing old and leaving past glories behind for the other things that life has to offer is a storyline that a much wider audience will connect with and one that will show what a great filmmaking prospect this man is.

'The Wrestler' is an excellent character driven drama. As well as Mickey Rourke's stunning performance, Marisa Tomei stands out as stripper Cassidy who is also having to come terms with getting older and having to give up her profession and the increasingly brilliant Evan Rachel Wood as Ram's estranged daughter Stephanie. Compelling, thought provoking and with a story that will touch even the coldest heart, this is not just a groundbreaking film for Mickey Rourke but one that will announce the name of Darren Aronofsky to the multiplex audience.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 1.85:1 Anamorphic with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is good.

BONUS FEATURES

Within the Ring (42.42 mins)
Director Darren Aronofsky, producer Scott Franklin, musician Clint Mansell, co-producer Mark Heyman, editor Andy Weisblum, production designer Tim Grimes and stunt coordinator Doug Crosby take you through the making of 'The Wrestler'. With insights into the production of the film, behind the scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew, this is more of a documentary than a featurette and a must watch for all budding filmmakers.

Interview with Mickey Rourke (15.45 mins)
The comeback star of the movie talks about what attracted him to the project, his first meeting with Darren Aronofsky, the script, the character and performing some of the stunts.

Trailers
Watch the theatrical version of the trailer for 'The Wrestler', plus previews of 'Che Parts 1 & 2' and 'Vicky Christina Barcelona'

OVERALL

The DVD treatment for 'The Wrestler' is one that fans of the film should enjoy. The documentary is extremely good, moving away from the usual back slapping Hollywood featurette and offering an insight into independent filmmaking. The lack of a commentary is a little disappointing but this is still a very good package.

DVD

The Fountain


The Usher Home | Hush, Hush... | The Big Story | The Usher Speaks

Stuck @ Home | Coming Soon | Links | Contact the Usher

2009