The Wrestler – mini-review
One of the first film comparisons that draws to mind when watching Darren Aronofsky’s latest film, The Wrestler, would be Rocky. But watching this film, I was drawn in mostly for the feelings of loneliness it conveys. First, there is the main story of Randy “The Ram” Robinson as a former pro-wrestler now resigned to small-time independent matches, 20 years after his fame. He even has a Nintendo (original NES) videogame with his character in it and his signature move the “Ram Jam“. And though they are still staged, some of his current matches have an almost backyard style of violence with barbed-wire and broken glass. We see him early on having been locked out of his trailer and working in a supermarket, solitary except for those who recognize his past glory.
And second is the loneliness we see through Cassidy (a topless Marisa Tomei), as an “older” stripper who does not get the attention (or bucks) she wants to be dancing at a club. (POSSIBLE SPOILERS) After collapsing following a match early on, The Ram tries to reach out to his Cassidy as a possible love interest but she passes on him because she cant be seen with a customer. Though with her advise, The Ram attempts to reach out to his daughter, Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood) and make amends for his past failed parenting. And he retires, taking on fulltime work at the supermarket in the deli.
Overall this movie may take some repeated views to warrant the super-high rating on Rotten Tomatoes (96%), but this 4th movie from Darren Aronofsky is extremely well done. I imagine that the warm interactions between the wrestlers backstage pre-match and the violence in the ring as well as some fine camera work, close ups and vantages of The Ram, are note-worthy. In any case, I like all of Aronofsky’s earlier works and I like this one as well, very much so. Maybe not a must see in theaters, but there is much that can be discussed, so hopefully you wont see it all alone.
The Wrestler Review @ NY Times
The Wrestler @ IMDB
The Wrestler @ Rotten Tomatoes
Darren Aronofsky interview @ the AV Club
