This has to rank as one of the best movies I've watched. Period. For anyone who HASN'T yet watched it, this is not a WWE movie laden with their (non) talent roster, posing as a movie; this is a very heartfelt drama centered around the fading dreams of a man who has become lost in the world of what he does to the point he's virtually no longer aware of who he is. Mickey Rourke proves that he's "not just another pretty face" (LOL) but the dude has some serious acting chops. Watching this made me regret that Rourke has seemingly been shuffled to back burners and almost-cameo roles instead of having films that could truly portray his ability on the big screen. He was absolutely amazing here. Shout-outs to the supporting cast for also pulling off their roles superbly as well, but if I'm being honest, this was a movie about one man, and Mickey Rourke played that part beautifully. I think the "supporting roles" could have been dead in the water and the film would still have been superb. Being a fan of the art of "professional wrestling" for some 50+ years, I've always been fascinated with the world BEHIND the scenes, but The Wrestler takes that story even deeper than most of the "documentaries" or biopics that are floating around out there. What is even more telling is that I recently watched the 30 on 30 documentary with legendary pro wrestler Ric Flair, and it became sadly obvious that the character "Ric Flair" had eclipsed/absorbed the real person of Richard Fliehr, which is essentially what is portrayed here in The Wrestler . Again, if you've never watched this because you think it's "just a wrestling movie", you owe it to yourself to set your prejudices aside and give this a look. It's a drama about a wrestler, yes, but it's so much more than "just a wrestling movie". Absolutely one of the best movies I've ever watched.
NOTE: Due to the storyline and what it centers around, the language is very coarse and pervasive. This is not a family-friendly movie. I'm just sayin'…
The heartbreakingly sad tale of a former professional wrestler eking out a living in the amateur scene. Mickey Rourke is exceptional as the lead. You don't need to like wrestling to enjoy it.
This didn’t quite grab or blow me away.
There’s this period in Aronofsky’s career where he didn’t seem to try as hard as a director; both this and Black Swan are lacking in style and feel like they could’ve been directed by just about anyone.
Mickey Rourke’s good, but it isn’t a mindblowing performance or anything. I feel like it’s being overinflated for the reason that people didn’t expect he was capable of delivering a performance on this level.
Even the music’s very understated and bland, which is odd because most of his movies have a great score.
What saves the movie are its well executed drama and solid climax, I like how it pulls back the curtain on wrestling without pulling any punches (no pun intended), even if some it moves in directions you can clearly see coming.
I just don’t see how it’s considered to be one of his best, to me it’s easily Aronofsky at his most uninspired and by the numbers.
5.5/10
This might easily be Mickey Rourke’s best movie. A heartbreaking drama of a professional wrestler falling apart. I remember watching this when I was much younger and it wasn’t necessarily my favorite. At a much older age, this resonates with me much more. I will surely watch this one again!
Rating: 4/5 - 8.5/10 - Would Recommend
Darren Aronofsky's glimpse into the grim reality of retirement in pro wrestling is a tough, fair rumination on a physically unforgiving industry. Not as suicidally dark as Requiem for a Dream, but it doesn't need to be - where Requiem was about a self-destructive quest for the taste of an elusive high, The Wrestler is more interested in the shattered figure trying to cope with the repercussions of that lifestyle.
Mickey Rourke nails the role of Randy "The Ram" Robinson, as advertised; the conflicting emotions of hope, guilt, desperation and cheap indulgence that flash across his face speak volumes when the character has very little to say for himself. Marissa Tomei is nicely cast as his counterpart, a stripper running into identical problems; aging in an industry that relies almost exclusively on one's superficial gifts. I didn't care for the ambiguous ending and found the in-ring scenes to be jumpy and weak, but loved the rich characterization, deep respect for the subject and long, unspoken history that precedes the events of the film.
Deep movie.If you dont feel it and not go into it you probably going to be bored.Otherwise you are going to love it!
The Wrestler is a constantly engaging and compelling character study with some of the finest acting, writing, directing I have seen in recent years. Oh and I forgot, the last shot will leave you speechless.
The Wrestler helped me realise wrestling is disgusting and wrestling fans should really find a better hobby. That anything-goes fight made me so uncomfortable, how on earth could anybody ever want to watch or take part in that? Go dance ballet or something, at least when you go crazy doing that, you'll look cool doing so. Other than the grotesque nature of those parts of the movie, the rest of it was actually really good. The story itelf was great and Mickey Rourke was outstanding. If I was a more reasonable person, I might even say it was a great movie because the wrestling parts did exactly what they were supposed to do, but good thing I'm not then because wrestling sucks. "The only place I get hurt is out there." ;_;
"Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free?
If you've ever seen a one trick pony then you've seen me
Have you ever seen a one-legged dog making its way down the street?
If you've ever seen a one-legged dog then you've seen me"
Since I've made myself a new Letterboxd Account I tend to rewatch films I haven't seen in a long time to refill my film list and Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler was one of them.
When I was younger I liked this film because I was really into wrestling, now I see the sadness. There is nothing happy about this film apart from 2 moments outside the ring for the Ram. His date with his daughter and his date with stripper Pam/Cassidy (Marisa Tomei). In the end it is just like he says, there is nothing but shit outside the ring for him. The way Rourke's delivers that line is so sad. He truly feels like a broken man apart from a few moments. Its sad to see him asking fans for money for a picture with him looking all washed up. Its sad he keeps making the same mistakes with his daughter. It is sad he made the same mistake by going to the ring instead of leaving with Pam.
If you have some interest in wrestling, I do believe that makes this film a bit more enjoyable. Seeing loads of familiar faces is always fun. And if you have never seen this film, I do believe you won't waste your time to watch this, even if you aren't interested in wrestling. This role gave new life to Mickey Rourke's career. It is in my eyes, his best performance. you have the amazing Marisa Tomei next to him and a killer soundtrack. And just listen to the song during the credits, its one of my favorite Bruce Springsteen tracks. Glad I rewatched this one.
Yes, Randy the Ram was truly a one-trick pony.
One interesting exchange in this movie was about how 80s hard rock was so much more fun than 90s grunge. This is 90s grunge. It's heavy and not fun. Good character study and great acting, but just not fun.
"Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free?
If you've ever seen a one trick pony then you've seen me
Have you ever seen a one-legged dog making its way down the street?
If you've ever seen a one-legged dog then you've seen me"
Since I've made myself a new Letterboxd Account I tend to rewatch films I haven't seen in a long time to refill my film list and Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler was one of them.
When I was younger I liked this film because I was really into wrestling, now I see the sadness. There is nothing happy about this film apart from 2 moments outside the ring for the Ram. His date with his daughter and his date with stripper Pam/Cassidy (Marisa Tomei). In the end it is just like he says, there is nothing but shit outside the ring for him. The way Rourke's delivers that line is so sad. He truly feels like a broken man apart from a few moments. Its sad to see him asking fans for money for a picture with him looking all washed up. Its sad he keeps making the same mistakes with his daughter. It is sad he made the same mistake by going to the ring instead of leaving with Pam.
If you have some interest in wrestling, I do believe that makes this film a bit more enjoyable. Seeing loads of familiar faces is always fun. And if you have never seen this film, I do believe you won't waste your time to watch this, even if you aren't interested in wrestling. This role gave new life to Mickey Rourke's career. It is in my eyes, his best performance. you have the amazing Marisa Tomei next to him and a killer soundtrack. And just listen to the song during the credits, its one of my favorite Bruce Springsteen tracks. Glad I rewatched this one.
Yes, Randy the Ram was truly a one-trick pony.
Life of a middle-aged wrestler who are losing everything isn't promising but it is his only way.
Shout by Neal MahoneyVIP 8BlockedParent2018-06-29T01:35:48Z
"The only place I get hurt is out there. The world don't give a shit about me."
Mickey Rourke is so great in this. It feels so gritty and dirty and real. That last fight really is amazing.