The Wrestler
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, Mickey RourkeBrand: ROURKE,MICKEY
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); Spanish (Dubbed)
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 109 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-04-21
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Fox Searchlight
Movie Reviews of The Wrestler
Movie Review: Out of the ring,In your Face!
Summary: 5 Stars
The wrestler is a movie about one mans struggle to balance his fading career along side his equaly fading personal relationships. The movie is shot in a somewhat documentery style and compliments the directors vision of In your face realism.
My mom and I went to see this movie together when it first hit theaters, and I must say, that she is not a wrestling "Fan". I, on the other hand, grew up watching the likes of HULK HOGAN, RIC FLAIR and many other wrestling Greats. I was prepared to see 'Behind the scenes' action, and it deliverd. Not only does this movie pay numerous homage to the superstars of today. It also shows you a side of the 'one's' who's names arn't in lights,but should always be remembered as the Greats that they are. There is just enough humor,emotion and complex relationships in Randy (The wrestler's) life to keep a non-fan sated, but its obvious attempt to touch a fan is most profound. It succeds with flying colors! For the love of the "fans" thats my focus on this review.
Randy's relationships with the 'Fan's' go even deeper than the ones in his personal life. This is best demonstrated as his 'character' is seen greeting and acknowledging two handicapped "fans" just outside the door to ringside. Here's two fans that probably know everything there is to know about "THE RAM", but perhaps know very little about Randy. I doubt, that they would (want to know),because the lack of respect that most of these legends recieve outside the ring is atrocious.(the scenes at the deli where he tries to use humor to get him through the day are remarkably well executed). I like these segments because it speaks to me about the duelality of man. I laughed quite a few times during this movie most noted are: "Come on guy's let's go take a shower together" this shows the actual passion that those in the business have for the business and I lmao.
I choked up a few times; The part where he plays an old video game with a little boy, who was not really interested in hearing stories about the RAM. That was sad to me because; Back in the early 80's they were devoid of proper media marketing such as internet, dvds, cds etc..not to mention the lack of popularity WRESTLING had on the mainstream. This is reinforced by a later scene in which you see former stars at a fan signing laying there heads on tables while another is actualy sewing. The young fans dont care about them any more.They are left with a disregard that is tougher to live with, than the actual injuries that they have had to endure. Which goes to show you that you can be propelled to success overnight but the slow and rapid decent down can be devistating.
As far as homages, there are plenty, but most important is a cameo appearence by WWE superstar "R-TRUTH" Where he asks the Ram "so how you been man?" Randy reply's "Hangin' and swangin' my brotha." that is priceless, toped off with "I'm buy'n". It's something only a fan can "TRULY" appreciate and it brings a smile to my face everytime. It can be upsetting at times knowing the sacrifice and commitment these athletes give to the fans everynight,and for some (fans and superstars alike) thats the only family they have left. This movie picks you up and it slams you back down again.
At the core of this roller coaster ride of a movie, is a "Rocky" like trbute, where on a payphone we hear the Ram say "I dont give a s--- I just want to wrestle" and Balls to the Wall by Accept (see lyrics) pounds in the background! MAN I jump out of my seat and shout for joy! This is a really good movie for fans and non-fans alike, and although as a "fan" it makes me want to stand up and cheer I cant because Im too "floored" to move. So YEAH it might be fake, but because of this film maybe, JUST ONCE, everyone can finally understand, just what wrestling entertainment is realy all about!!!
Summary of The Wrestler
Genre: Drama
Rating: R
Release Date: 21-APR-2009
Media Type: DVD
The mystery of Mickey Rourke's career comes to a grungy apotheosis in The Wrestler, the much-battered actor's triumphant return to the top rope. He plays Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a heavily scarred and medicated battler who's twenty years past his best moment in the ring. But he still schleps to every second-rate fight card he can get to, stringing out the paychecks (more likely a fistful of cash) and nursing what's left of his pride. His attempts to adjust to a more normal kind of life form the most absorbing sections in the movie, whether it's flirting with a stripper (Marisa Tomei is in good form, in every sense), establishing a bond with his understandably angry daughter (Evan Rachel Wood), or working behind the deli counter at a nondescript megastore. Rourke is commanding in the role; he obviously spent hours in the gym and the tanning salon, and his ease with the semi-documentary style adopted by director Darren Aronofsky allows him to naturalistically interact with the colorful real-life wrestlers who crowd the movie's ultra-believable locations. All of which helps distract from the film's overall adherence to ancient formula. You might find yourself waiting for the scene where the risk-taking Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream) pulls the switch and reveals his true motives for pursuing this otherwise sentimental story, but there's no switch. The Wrestler is an old-fashioned hoke machine, given grit by an actor who doesn't seem to be so much performing the role of ravaged survivor as embodying it. --Robert Horton
Stills from The Wrestler (Click for larger image)
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