The Wrestler
Starring Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
I have something to confess…I actually saw “The Wrestler” several weeks ago.
Usually, as soon as I catch a movie, I jump at the opportunity to write a review. It allows me to maintain my opinion on a film before TV ads start insisting it’s “The best thing since ‘The Matrix.’” Yet, for some reason, I got stuck on “The Wrestler.” I liked it, but I had nothing of note to say about it. I was neutral to the film. Why? The answer hit me 3 weeks later…
There have been some excellent documentaries on the business of professional wrestling (I recommend “Wrestling with Shadows,” “Beyond the Mat,” and “Bigger, Stronger, Faster”), but in retrospect, none of them have maintained the objectivity that “The Wrestler” has. Outside of Mickey Rourke, who is effortless in the role of Randy “The Ram” Robinson, “The Wrestler’s” neutrality puts it above all other celluloid samples of the industry.
The flick is so sober, so ironically devoid of sensationalism, and so clear in depicting what could be the life of ANY pro-wrestler, that you’re not watching it, you’re observing it. You’re the camera flashes as “The Wrestler” stomps his way to the ring.
The movie’s objectivity is director Darren Aronofsky’s strong right hand. He’s not telling you how to feel about steroids, he’s not explaining the wrestling jargon to you, and he doesn’t force you to lean on any particular side of the film’s father/daughter argument; it just is.
There are plenty of examples of this throughout, but the most uncharacteristic example is the scene in which Cassidy (played by Marisa Tomei) hustles for lap dances at the local strip club. The moment isn’t directed to give Aronofsky’s stance on the morals of exotic dancing, it exist as a slice of life --- a voyeuristic take on the world behind the blacked-out windows of the “church.” This directorial indifference goes double for the movie’s climax.
However, Aronofsky ( “Pi,” “Requiem for A Dream.” ) does come close to leading the audience during one particular locker room scene. Here he displays the time-tested mechanics of a “blade job” --- but I already feel like I’m spoiling the movie. I’ll stop there. Just know that a little audience manipulation is appropriate here. You will see a collective light bulb from the movie theatre once the scene’s payoff arrives.
Now, there is a rumor stomping around the Internet that Vince McMahon, World Wrestling Entertainment’s #1 fat cat, has taken issue with “The Wrestler” for “exposing the business.” Clearly, the Internet (which has done more damage of exposing the wrestling business than anything else) has heard of Vince McMahon, but Vince McMahon hasn’t heard of the Internet. If this is true (you never can tell with McMahon), then Vince is so concerned with protecting his interest that he fails to realize how harmless “The Wrestler” is to his business. Seriously, Vince, It may not be the best thing since “The Matrix,” but it’s the kindest filmic homage that the industry has ever received.
Starring Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
I have something to confess…I actually saw “The Wrestler” several weeks ago.
Usually, as soon as I catch a movie, I jump at the opportunity to write a review. It allows me to maintain my opinion on a film before TV ads start insisting it’s “The best thing since ‘The Matrix.’” Yet, for some reason, I got stuck on “The Wrestler.” I liked it, but I had nothing of note to say about it. I was neutral to the film. Why? The answer hit me 3 weeks later…
There have been some excellent documentaries on the business of professional wrestling (I recommend “Wrestling with Shadows,” “Beyond the Mat,” and “Bigger, Stronger, Faster”), but in retrospect, none of them have maintained the objectivity that “The Wrestler” has. Outside of Mickey Rourke, who is effortless in the role of Randy “The Ram” Robinson, “The Wrestler’s” neutrality puts it above all other celluloid samples of the industry.
The flick is so sober, so ironically devoid of sensationalism, and so clear in depicting what could be the life of ANY pro-wrestler, that you’re not watching it, you’re observing it. You’re the camera flashes as “The Wrestler” stomps his way to the ring.
The movie’s objectivity is director Darren Aronofsky’s strong right hand. He’s not telling you how to feel about steroids, he’s not explaining the wrestling jargon to you, and he doesn’t force you to lean on any particular side of the film’s father/daughter argument; it just is.
There are plenty of examples of this throughout, but the most uncharacteristic example is the scene in which Cassidy (played by Marisa Tomei) hustles for lap dances at the local strip club. The moment isn’t directed to give Aronofsky’s stance on the morals of exotic dancing, it exist as a slice of life --- a voyeuristic take on the world behind the blacked-out windows of the “church.” This directorial indifference goes double for the movie’s climax.
However, Aronofsky ( “Pi,” “Requiem for A Dream.” ) does come close to leading the audience during one particular locker room scene. Here he displays the time-tested mechanics of a “blade job” --- but I already feel like I’m spoiling the movie. I’ll stop there. Just know that a little audience manipulation is appropriate here. You will see a collective light bulb from the movie theatre once the scene’s payoff arrives.
Now, there is a rumor stomping around the Internet that Vince McMahon, World Wrestling Entertainment’s #1 fat cat, has taken issue with “The Wrestler” for “exposing the business.” Clearly, the Internet (which has done more damage of exposing the wrestling business than anything else) has heard of Vince McMahon, but Vince McMahon hasn’t heard of the Internet. If this is true (you never can tell with McMahon), then Vince is so concerned with protecting his interest that he fails to realize how harmless “The Wrestler” is to his business. Seriously, Vince, It may not be the best thing since “The Matrix,” but it’s the kindest filmic homage that the industry has ever received.
NOTE: I just found out that Mickey Rourke is wrestling Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania. Vince McMahon is working angles as usual.
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