The Wrestler' Review

A Worthy Resurrection: The Wrestler Review

by M. R. Brown

As with most films worth Oscar acclaim, The Wrestler will not be as easily accessible to find in your local theater as other insufferable films such as Bride Wars. The problem? Not only will it be harder for The Wrestler to make money and reach an audience, but the movie must also be more enticing, dare more profound, than these exhibitions in abhorrent cinema in order to draw moviegoers out of their houses and towns to watch it.

Darren Aronofsky crafts a film with true heart and grit, a film that can be noted as nothing short of superb and touching. Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is a battered and tired professional wrestler past his prime who is coming to grips with retirement, self-purpose, loneliness and his own health. He is a failed father of his only daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood), who is left to her own devices of raising herself for most of her life. Besides the warmth and adoration shared backstage with young wrestlers, Randy leads a lonely life in which he frequents a strip club to visit love interest Cassidy (Marisa Tomei). After a heart attack following a fight, he must choose to either wallow in a life of working a petty supermarket deli or risk it all for a rematch for the ages.

Transitioning between the two characters of Randy and Cassidy lends insight into the juxtaposition of each one’s lifestyle. Both are entertainers in their own trade, Randy a wrestler and Cassidy a dancer. The difference between the two is Randy is forever unable to leave the only thing in life he can do while Cassidy escapes her job with plans on moving to a better place to raise her child.

Rourke’s performance deserves every bit of recognition it receives. A former hobbyist boxer who fell from grace in his acting career years ago, Rourke gives real-life experience and ache from such events to his character of Randy. He renders any other actor unfit for this role, much like Daniel Day Lewis’ performance as Daniel Plainview the previous year. The endearing film is a must see before it escapes the small theaters and is far more understandable than Aronofsky’s previous movie The Fountain, which to this day still leaves this writer baffled.

The Wrestler is rated R and is currently showing at Showcase Cinemas Worcester North on 135 Brooks St. (Article currently unedited).