The Wrestler focuses on Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) at the end of his 20 year wrestling career. Hampered by a heart attack and told he shouldn’t wrestle unless he wants to die from his weakened heart, he retires and attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood) and live a normal life. Unfortunately, it’s never as easy as it seems.
From the outset, you can feel The Ram’s oppressive lonliness and isolation. The feeling is so strong and so well portrayed by Rourke that I felt the need to share his burden throughout the film. It’ll come as no surprise that living a normal life becomes difficult for him to bear. Wrestling is all that he knows–the only place where he can feel accepted. So when the opportunity comes for him to participate in a rematch to capitalize on a legendary match held 20 years ago at the height of his popularity, it’s tempting to go back.
The pacing of the story was slow, which enhanced the melancholy mood of the film. Marissa Tomei plays The Ram’s love interest, Cassidy, who happens to be an aging stripper and a single mother of one. Age seemingly hasn’t messed with Tomei’s body, which is on display throughout the film. Tomei fans, who’ve been waiting a long time, will not be disappointed; except that it took so long. Rourke’s acting was superb, as stated before, I couldn’t help but empathize with the old man, especially when he reconnects with his hostile daughter. Evan Rachel Wood Across the Universe was excellent in her short role and is an important catalyst to The Ram’s decision to return to the ring.
The Wrestler as a whole is relatively average. The story plods in places, no doubt to heighten the gravity of the film. I was actually suprised I liked it as much as I did – I’m normally not big into plodding storylines. The Wrestler is definitely not for everyone, so unless you feel like paying nine bucks to look at Tomei’s double piercing, I’d advise staying home for this one.
