Viewed: THE WRESTLER

Tell a simple story of just one character, keep it focused on his journey, let the complications grow, keep him going and what you will get is a good story. That's what, The Wrestler is. You go on a journey of a legendary wrestler, who still fights to earn his daily bread and eventually it becomes a pretty moving film.

Mickey Rourke has been picking up every big award for best actor and there's no doubt that it's a performance that is super. He plays a wrestler, Randy Ram who is moving towards his old age, battling against his body and living all by himself. Though he's revered by other wrestlers he is a lonely man. The only person who adds something to his life is a cabaret performer (Marisa Tomei) and though she is fond of him, he is another 'customer'.

Things change when he gets a heart attack after a bout and is advised to stay away from wrestling lest he might lose his life. He opens up to his stripper friend who suggests that he should visit his daughter. He goes to her but she turns him off. Later he again makes an attempt and buys her a gift with the help of his friend.

He takes her to her favorite childhood spot and it becomes apparent that the film is moving towards this scene; it's a moment, when a man who knows he has been in the wrong tries to make it up and for once...is forgiven. Randy a lonely man, who would have been brash and silly in his younger life eventually finds meaning as his daughter accepts him.

However director, Darren Aronofsky isn't making things sweet; the man errs and loses what he has gained. And then with no one on his side he goes back for his big re-match into a world that is his. The parallel world of stripper is also ventured into along with Randy's; they are like mates united in pain at an age where they would be soon over the hill trying to make ends meet.

The film reveals the dark side or perhaps the true side of (fake) wrestlers; it opens up an alley not seen before; what you have seen are these super-muscular guys roaring in glee as they cause 'massive' harm to their opponents, who looks like their worst enemy, but...as you go backstage, you see a great bonding between them. And...the injuries they deal with it at times. One scene could be very difficult to watch, where Randy goes all-out with another wrestler. Perhaps the highlight scene of their plight is when Randy goes for a charity events for ex-wrestlers. It's another sport where the eventual path is figuring out on how to survive in the real world.

Aronofsky (with films like Pi and Requiem for a Dream) deals in a simple narrative, just focusing on Randy and tells a very effective tale. Initially the hand-held camera seems kind of jarring but later you settle into things. The best part of course is how less the characters speak and how the actions unfold to grip you providing insight into the world of a lonely ex-legend.

Apparently the film was made thanks to (free) contribution by many. Made for a $6 million it goes to show what a good story-telling can do - take a very small story and make it very big.


Screenplay: Robert Siegel
Director: Darren Aronofsky

Rating ****

[Max ****]


Links:
The Wrestler (Wikipedia)

Interview: Darren Aronofsky


{Watched on 20th Feb, 5.50 pm show at Southlands, Gun Road, Aurora. A big, decent plex, (maybe 16 screens); audi was small: 100, but...the screen was big, so was pretty good to watch. Later a great dinner, Hibachi scallops at Fuji.}