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46th N.Y.F.F

The Wrestler

Written by Nobuhiro Hosoki

 

"The Wrestler" is the fourth feature from Darren Aronofsky, garnering a top prize at the Venice Film Festival this year. Here, Darren makes a 180 degree turn from his usually sleek looking visuals to an urban, gritty 70s-style film that helps breathe new life into a fallen star, Mickey Rourke.

About 20 years ago, Randy "The Ram" Robinson was top man in the world of wrestling, immortalized by an action figure and video game. But his best days are far behind; now he is living alone in a New Jersey trailer, only doing small-scale performances over the weekend while working parttime on a supermarket loading dock. He is aging out in a world that thrives on youth: now his muscles are bulked up with steroids, he swallows painkiller for his broken bones, and wears a hearing aid. One day, after a nasty bout, he suffers a heart attack, for today's wrestling is far more brutal than it was 20 years ago.

But he still stick to his guns, slowly realizing that wrestling is his only destiny. Then his promoter, thinks his rematch with "The Ayatollah" would be the thing to help Randy recapture his glory. Meanwhile, he meets Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), a good-hearted stripper who genuinely cares for her wrestler friend. They are kindred spirits, sharing a physically demanding job that is usually not much use for anyone over 30. Randy also tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood), a bitter young woman whose heart has been broken too many times by her father.

Throughout the film, Rourke embodies in his character the same tragedy of ego that he possesses in his real life, holding the same mirror up to his face. As he suffers broken glasses, barbed wire and a staple gun, we cheer him on for a compelling performance. Part of the reason is that he's not really a smart guy, but he has genuine heart.

Director Aronofsky pays homage to the sport, balancing the right tone of entertainment with a certain realism in the ring and peering unflinchingly into the world of professional wrestling. Marisa Tomei delivers a courageous performance, playing well when she is concerned about Randy more than she admits to. Writer Robert D. Siegel captures a poignant character study of realism. Thanks to this ensemble, how can Randy look anything but triumphant when he stands on the ropes at the end?

Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Written by Robert D. Siegel
Director of photography: Maryse Alberti
Edited by Andrew Weisblum
Music by Clint Mansell
Pproduction designer: Tim Grimes
Produced by Mr. Aronofsky and Scott Franklin
Released by Fox Searchlight Pictures.
Running time: 1 hour 45 minutes.

Cast: Mickey Rourke (Randy)
Marisa Tomei (Cassidy)
and Evan Rachel Wood (Stephanie).