Directer: Darren Aronofsky
Writer: Robert D. Siegel
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood
The Wrestler will leave you with watery eyes and a heavy heart. Aronofsky, as with his other films, takes a deep look into the human psyche. Inside and outside of the ring, Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is a character that keeps you enthralled. Ram drives this movie the entire way with a head of steam.
"The Ram" is a long time professional wrestler. He continued to wrestle past his prime usually being the old veteran in any locker room. For one reason or another, he is forced to retire and face life outside the ring as Randy Robinson. His situation reminds me of the character Brooks from The Shawshank Redemption (1994) who was released from prison after many years. I think of Shawshank because of the narration of Morgan Freeman as Red where he so elegantly says, "These walls are funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to 'em. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them." Randy Robinson depended on the ring.
Randy Robinson reveals to the audience the distraction (whether positive or negative) of daily routine. When one has an absorbing passion or job that he does every day, he often avoids dealing with other life issues. This struggle is beautifully portrayed through a number of encounters between Robinson and others. His loneliness leads him to pursue a relationship with his stripper friend Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), and reunite with his daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood). Randy must find a new, less glorified, job where there are no fanatical cheers involved. In the end it comes down to a choice; what is Randy "The Ram" Robinson's real life?
The direction of this film is superb. Aronofsky, one of the current greats, chooses what scenes and what emotions are injected using his cinematic savvy. Every moment adds to the emotion of the film. The acting is exemplary. A film of this nature, lacking "action," is carried by its characters. Roarke puts on a performance that is simply better than most you'll see by actors in other movies. You see what he sees, want what he wants, and feel what he feels. Tomei is good as Cassidy (or Pam), and plays an important part in Robinson's post Wrestling life. Wood does a nice job as his neglected daughter Stephanie. Every scene is captivating and meaningful.
A well directed and acted story. I enjoyed the movie a great deal, however I feel I cannot give it a perfect score. The acting carries it, but the writing and story are not quite strong enough for a 4 star rating. Yet, it keeps you interested and is escorted out with a moving ending and specifically song (The Wrestler by Bruce Springsteen). 3 1/2 Stars.
