It’s movie night! We’re looking at the late 2000s classic The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, and directed/produced by Darren Aronofsky.
The Wrestler
Released in 2008—which seems further back than I was thinking—this is the story about a washed-up wrestler named Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Rourke) who was a popular star in the 1980s.
He is best remembered for his feud with The Ayatollah (Ernest “The Cat” Miller). Years on the road and drug use strained his relationship with his daughter and when his time at the top was over, he had little to show for it.
The story takes place in the late 2000s where The Ram—in his real life as Robin Ramzinski—works part-time jobs, does blow, has a relationship with an over-the-hill stripper (Tomei), and wrestles on the independent scene.
He passes up a rematch with The Ayatollah to give normal life a shot but it doesn’t suit him. He misses the crows and comradery from wrestling and felt that they accepted him while the “real world” doesn’t.
The Ram takes up the rematch which proves to be his final bout as years of drug abuse finally catch up to him. He has heart problems during the match which Ayatollah notices but Randy continues the match not wanting to disappoint himself or the crowd.
It’s the final scene—where Cassidy leaves—and Randy no longer sees here there that really hits. I’m not afraid to admit, there’s always one—and only one—Denzel Washington tear from me when watching this film.
Screen or Skip Score: 10/10 (Watch NOW)
This is an amazingfilm from start to finish featuring great performances by everyone involved. The Wrestler tells this great story of a hard-living veteran who never really left the period of his prime despite being past it.
He can’t adapt to normal life, he destroys the relationships he should cherish and nurture. In the end, it’s the thing that he loves the most that kills him.
Think of this film as if Ric Flair burned out by 1989, all the popularity and marketability in him was long faded but he’s still doing weekend indy shots but will do a part-timer at Wal-Mart.
The truimphtsad—triumphantly sad—ending was necessary to close out the story. Even though the ending isn’t conclusive, it’s safe to say that The Ram bit the bullet here.
What I love about this film is the efforts taken to make the ring stuff and normal life realistic. Also, Rourke’s performance as Randy Robinson is fantastic. He really put his foot into this role.
I could’ve seen this being Aronofsky’s Rocky had he continued it with a story of another wrestler or a wrestler inspired by Randy Robinson. However, it would’ve been hard to top the OG.
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