Wednesday, February 04, 2009

MOVIE: The Wrestler

The Wrestler is a heart-wrenching tale about Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) and his slow, painful spiral from world-famous superstar to a broken, minor league has-been. Along the way he attempts to come to terms with a fumbled near-relation with an exotic dancer (Marisa Tomei,) balances his infuriating day-job against his rapidly-dwindling wrestling career, and makes amends with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood.)

An absolute MUST-SEE-MOVIE for anyone who grew up watching wrestling on the weekends. One of the most well-rounded, enjoyable, and moving films I've seen in a while. I was absorbed during every minute. Didn't want it to end. Wanted one more match. One more dance. One more pint of potato salad. One more groupie. One more visit with Ram's daughter. More. More. More.

The writing was extraordinary. Perfect on every level. The pacing was smooth like butter. The direction pulled all the right strings and carried the audience along on pins & needles. Majestic, unforgettable, worth-seeing-twice acting. On all parts.

One of the very few movies that lives up to the hype surrounding it. Probably not a date movie for sensitive folks. Not sure if Cindy could see the beauty beneath the violence. Not not not for the kids. Late teens, maybe. But they wouldn't appreciate the "old school" of wrestling like older viewers might. See it while it is on the big screen. Worth the price of admission, and more.

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