‘The Wrestler’ is a Work of Authentic Acting Gold
-----Mickey Rourke was once a forgotten, worn out, has been actor/boxer. With this riveting comeback, he has given one of the finest performances in the history of the silver screen. This movie works for him and because of him. Not to mention the director that told him what to do, the mastermind himself, Darren Aronofsky.
-----‘The Wrestler’ is the tale of an old, beat up professional wrestler known to the masses as Randy the Ram (Mickey Rourke). A star in the 80s, Randy has since become little more than a wily old veteran who entertains and signs autographs on weekends. Mind you this isn’t Olympic style wrestling, but the showbiz type where they wear spandex and throw chairs at each other. Randy’s just a worn out machine who spends his free time at a strip club where he harbors a love for a stripper named Cassidy (Marisa Tomei). After a particularly violent match where Randy is shot with a staple gun, shanked with barbwire, and throw down numerous times, the question arises, how much longer can his body take this?
-----Mickey Rourke gives an extraordinary performance as Randy, showing so much authenticity and integrity in the role that you can’t help but feel sorry for this guy despite the numerous times he missteps and screws up. I challenge anyone to watch this movie and not be able to relate it to someone they have known in their life. The story of this beat down man against the world rings true for thousands of people. You understand his motivations, his struggles, and his fears. Rourke becomes the epitome of the misunderstood has been, rejuvenating a personality that’s been seen many times throughout the history of storytelling. So brimming with reality is his performance that many casual filmgoers will be sure they’re watching a film based on a true story.
-----Marisa Tomei is also in top form as the conflicted stripper who’s caught Randy’s eye. Evan Rachel Wood also gives an excellent performance as estranged daughter to Randy. She, like Rourke, embodies thousands of people who struggle with accepting their parents as they are. She hopes for a normal father, but can’t get past her lonely childhood or the fact that her father makes mistakes and can’t always be relied upon.
-----The cinematography for the film is brilliant, putting you right in Randy’s shoes as he struggles with life, love, and the end of his career. The script is bold and weighted with a sense of realism. Gritty, artful, the film has it all. Aronofsky should have been commended with an Oscar nod for Best Director for pushing his cast that extra mile over and over again, and all within a five million dollar budget. His excellent blend of realism and art make this one stick with you well after you’ve left the theater.
-----Acting as witness to the power of a director sticking to his vision, ‘The Wrestler’ is both classic and an original take on an often overlooked and frequently mocked sport. The performances will be remembered for decades to come, and the film itself is a character study cooked to perfection. You’ll laugh, cheer, and cry as you witness the final chapter in the career of this has been with a heart. And whether you’re angry or thrilled at the eventual outcome, there is no doubt you’ll be emotionally impacted by this resonating story of life.
