FilmJudge - The Wrestler

REVIEW

The Wrestler
2009
Certificate: 15 | Runtime: 111 | Director: Darren Aronofsky
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood

Once one of the biggest names in wrestling, Randy 'The Ram' Robinson (Rourke) now lives a much quieter life. He still manages to wrestle – occasionally teaming up with old colleagues – but spends most of his time working in a supermarket storeroom for minimum wage. But after a heart attack looks set to prevent him wrestling any more, Randy attempts to get his life back on track in other ways. He tries to rebuild his relationship with estranged daughter Stephanie (Wood), and attempts to kindle a little romance with his stripper friend Cassidy (Tomei). But will this be enough to suffice a man who still feels he was born to wrestle?

It probably comes as no surprise to hear that there are similarities between The Wrestler and Rocky. What perhaps is surprising is that these similarities have nothing to do with the fact that they are both sporting dramas. One things the two films share is that they are not actually about the sports they feature; they are about the people who participate in those sports. The films also share rich characters, superb performances, and have that fantastic ability to both entertain and move. And while they both contain 'underdog' themes, it is how they contrast on this issue that actually makes them quite distinctive.

On a broad level, Rocky is about a boxer who wants to be the best; The Wrestler is about a wrestler who used to be the best, but who now has to accept that his career has dwindled. Both angles are effective techniques for creating support and sympathy for characters, but in the case of The Wrestler that sympathy is purposefully harder to form. This is because Randy is such a wonderfully detailed character. He has real flaws; he's selfish, crass and clings to past glories to an absurd degree. But at the same time he's a very kindly, decent and friendly man when he really tries. Rourke brings so much to the role that it's impossible to see anyone else in it. There isn't a frame when we feel we're watching an actor act; this is a human being brought to life in spectacular fashion. He does things in this film that I never knew he was capable of, let alone capable of doing them so well. The emotional honesty and complexity he displays is absolutely incredible. Had I been able to vote, Rourke would have been my Oscar choice over Sean Penn.

And the naturalness of this performance – and others – is what makes The Wrestler such a compelling journey. Randy's sometimes awkward attempts to bond with Stephanie are both sweet and frustrating on occasion – just like such a thing would be in real life. And Wood gives a really nice performance as well, as a character with deeply conflicting emotions. And Tomei is marvellous in a role which could so easily have seemed cliched; a stripper with a heart of gold. She's warm and alluring, while remaining tough and independent.

For me, this is comfortably Aronofsky's best film. The Fountain was a bit of a mess and, while undeniably good in their own ways, Pi and Requiem for a Dream have never held my fascination in the way they do for some. What is very clear here is Aronofsky's understanding of how to let his actors just do their stuff, and not get in their way. The film is shot in a deliberately minimal manner; no fancy camera tricks or distracting quirks, though I loved the brutally intense wrestling sequences. It's honest direction for a very honest film.

The Wrestler is just one of those wonderful little films that does everything it attempts really well. It's a moving story about people in difficult circumstances, and in particular a man trying to find out who he is and what he really wants from life. It nicely demonstrates the tragedy of diminishing fame, while retaining just a smattering of hope. It's a marvellous piece; one of those brilliant gems that has so much to say and so much to give.

RECENT REVIEWS

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button