The Wrestler

I had never heard of the actor named Mickey Rourke until one late night watching Letterman. Now, this is before anyone was really talking about The Wrestler, so I did not even know about his role in this film until after this episode of Letterman. Now I thought this was just going to be a wrestling movie when I first saw the preview, and I did not think much of it. Then I started to hear more about this movie.

People were always saying "Resurrection of Mickey Rourke" and then he was nominated for an Oscar. This, of course, spiked my interested. I was finally able to watch this movie today and this is the first movie, in a very long time, to actually make me have a tear in my eye.

The Wrestler is as good as a movie can get. It does not take the time to introduce you formally to any character, or let you in on any real back story, it focuses on the now. It tells its story fabulously; the one of a man who has spent his whole life in the ring, and he made some true friends through that career. Now, before I continue any farther I will warn you of possible spoilers, so if you have not yet had the pleasure of watching this film, please watch it and do not read any of the following paragraphs. Feel free to see the final grade though.

Randy "The Ram" is a wonderful character. He obviously has made some absolutely horrible decisions in his life, especially pertaining to his daughter. Randy clearly lived a life of glamor as seen by the opening sequence of newspaper clippings and etc. but now he seems to be living a very sad life. He still wrestles but he is clearly no longer in his prime. He is old and he is run down. After the years of drugs, alcohol and women, and the heart attack, he is tired

The characters that he interacts with clearly have seen him his whole life. Whether it be the stripper he is connected to or the many wrestlers with him. He has clearly earned the respect of all his fellow wrestlers, even the young incoming wrestlers of present time.

But now I am just going into themes and plot points that you should all discover for yourself. I am going to spend some time talking about how beautiful this film really is.

Cinematography is going to be my main point. The directors and producers did a beautiful job. The camera work is amazing. I was thinking at first I was going to look for steady camera vs. regular camera, because I usually notice little things like that, but, I quickly was sucked into following Randy around just like actual wrestling shows do. The difference is these behind the head follow throughs happen in the most unexpected places. They followed him walking up to his house, walking through a storage room to his job, and many others, all the while including sound effects to really show how much wrestling is a part of Randy.

Now, I personally cannot remember the last time I cried for a movie; but, when Randy decided to go back to wrestling a tear came to my eye. He was hurt so bad by his daughter (his fault kind of) and the stripper he was interested in (not his fault) that he gave up retirement and living a nice life, to putting his life in danger again. A movie that can make me cry, a teenage guy, is truly amazing.

The movie had a beautiful ending, I almost cried again when it ended. After all that he had been through he was just in the ring again, right back where he started. The movie ended so abruptly that I wanted more, but at the same time I was satisfied with how it ended.

If I wanted I could go on for many more paragraphs about the pure beauty of this film, but I do not think anyone would want to read all of that, so, like I said before, if you have not seen this movie, GO RENT IT. I have a Blu-Ray player and unfortunately was only able to rent it on DVD but that did not matter. No matter what you watch it on, where you watch it, watch it... As long as you are seventeen, it was a tad inappropriate for the younger crowd.

So, I do not feel any need whatsoever to go through the different categories of a movie, but I will anyway.

General Movie Grade: A
Cinematography: A
Sounds/Music: A
Writing/Story: A
Acting: A
Entertainment Quality: A

So please watch this movie. Please.

~Jake

The Wrestler by Bruce Sprinsteen

Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free?
If you've ever seen a one trick pony then you've seen me
Have you ever seen a one-legged dog making its way down the street?
If you've ever seen a one-legged dog then you've seen me

Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor
Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?
Tell me can you ask for anything more?

Have you ever seen a scarecrow filled with nothing but dust and wheat?
If you've ever seen that scarecrow then you've seen me
Have you ever seen a one-armed man punching at nothing but the breeze?
If you've ever seen a one-armed man then you've seen me

Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor
Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?
Tell me can you ask for anything more?

These things that have comforted me, I drive away
This place that is my home I cannot stay
My only faith's in the broken bones and bruises I display

Have you ever seen a one-legged man trying to dance his way free?
If you've ever seen a one-legged man then you've seen me