The Wrestler, aka my whole life in one film
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008
Okay, hold on. Wait a second. There’s a movie, an honest-to-god high caliber production, about pro wrestling, called The Wrestler, and I’m only learning about it NOW? Why was I not informed?
Starring who? Mickey “I just fed your arms and legs to your own damn dogs in black and white” Rourke, Marissa Tomei (she’s still hot), and Evan Rachel Wood? TIGHT.
Directed by Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain)? Oh my god.
Synopsis from Wikipedia:
Randy “Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is a professional wrestler from the 1980s who is forced to retire after a heart attack threatens to kill him the next time he wrestles. He takes a job at a deli, attempts to form a relationship with an aging stripper (Marisa Tomei) and does his best to reconcile with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood). However, he is drawn to the prospect of a rematch with his old wrestling nemesis the Ayatollah (Ernest Miller), even though the fight may cost him his life.
I never thought it could be done– a real, artful, serious attempt at a film about the profession that I love so much, that I’ve dedicated the majority of my life to. Combined with my other love– film. It was never supposed to happen, but here it is. It’s already won the Golden Lion (best picture) award at the Venice Film Festival, and just recently opened at the Toronto Film Festival to rave reviews, and there’s been Oscar buzz around Rourke’s performance. I’m… just so happy.
I saw The Dark Knight five times when it came out in theatres– I promise that The Wrestler will break that record.
