The Wrestler (DVD, 2009, Checkpoint; Sensormatic; Widescreen)

The Wrestler is a drama centered around an aging professional wrestler past his prime. It's so much more than that. You don't have to be a fan of wrestling to enjoy this film. The wrestling part of it can be put aside as a back story. Randy "The Ram" could be in any other profession, doing any other thing and could be in the same situation. That's what's so great about it. He's just a lonely guy, whose life seems to have passed him by. A middle aged man who doesn't have much going for him. Sure, he's a wrestler, but he needs wrestling more than wrestling needs him. He needs it to feel important, to feel like a somebody. He really has nothing to show for himself, no wife, just a daughter he hasn't been there for his whole life. Missed opportunities. He's sad and alone and we really do feel for him.

A closer bond seems to be forming between him and his stripper friend, played by Marisa Tomei, who seems to be in a similar situation as he is. The middle aged stripper who seems to have a real connection with "The Ram" is shown in another misunderstood profession. We all may not be as different as we may think. Health problems compromise his wrestling career as he tries to deal with the real world and rebuild his relationship with his abandoned daughter. The scenes with Evan Rachel Wood (his daughter) are touching. Beautifully done. Rourke's character portrayal of the Ram is one of the best in a long time. He's not just acting, he transforms into the character on screen. It's amazing to watch. All the credit he's getting is truly deserved.

The film is Directed by Darren Aronofsky, who also directed Requiem for a Dream. He does a beautiful job showing the sport with realism. The film respects the wrestlers and their world, and expects the same from the audience. This film is done in a style that's so real, so honest, so amazing, in easily one of the best films of the year. All around great performances and great direction. Definitely worth checking out sometime.

From Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain) comes his latest work. Mickey Rourke delivers a powerful performance as washed-up wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson whose life of violent (if not faked) fights, drugs, and image-enhancement has caught up to him. Rourke delivers what is sure to be a contender for Male Lead awards, and has already one several, including a Golden Globe. This is the powerful story of life, loss, and redemption, and is Aronofskys most acclaimed work yet to date. But being so acclaimed, this movie has very high standards to live up to, and I believe that coming from a genius of plots like Aronofsky, this movie fell short of his earlier works such as Requiem for a Dream, but particularly Pi and The Fountain. The Wrestler stands alone in the powerful performances of the cast and the true-to-life story, but was delivered in the Cops-esque camera style that does not particularly fit such an, at times, solemn film. The graphic nudity of the film is drastically understated by the brief mention of sexuality/nudity in the credits, and I believe takes away from the overall credibility of the movie. Artistic sensuality is perfectly acceptable, but there is a good half hour of full frontal nudity and a graphic sex scene in this movie that just reduces some scenes to tackiness. Overall, this is an excellent movie to own and rewatch, but not the best from Aronofsky.

Fabulous movie.Very heartwarming and sad at the same time.Mickey Rourke as Randy "The Ram" Robinson is simply great.I can't see anybody else playing this character.Marisa Tomei also works as his love interest,who happens to be a stripper close to the end of her career(still looks hot,though).I had read somewhere that this story was loosely based on the life of real wrestler Jake "The Snake" Roberts,but it could have been about any wrestler.Loved the use of the hard rock/metal songs from the 80's for the soundtrack.This was a hard hitting,emotional,sometimes dark movie.No fairy tale endings here.I don't want to give anything away,this movie just has to be watched.

The wrestler was one of the most moving movies I have seen in quite a while. It hit home with. 6 years ago I new what "the ram" (Mickey Rourke) was going through. The experiences he portrayed, the depression, the anger, the struggles with society were unbelievably accurate. Even portraying the heavy, problematic breathing from the steroid use, which ultimately leads to depression, anxiety and health problems that occurred in this film. He was absolutely broken mind, body and soul.

As I can tell you from personal experiences.

I will give a real quick short version of my inner relationship with this movie. I had always been successful in sports, of course lifting weights etc. I always avoided the media and ran from attention. I had been alone my entire life and did not know how to deal with it. So I started taking steroids, I would go to the gym and kill the weights, until I would vomit. Then I would go home sit in my room alone and self destruct (rather not go into details). Then I started to fight MMA mixed martial arts commonly referred to as UFC. I loved to get him and to hurt other people, it was an outlet for my depression and anger. I pushed myself so hard that my body was always "Broke". I had given up on life, much like "the ram". One difference I did the opposite as "the ram" at the end of the film and it turned my life around.

This is a must see phenomenal movie that delves into the depths of inner struggles and the demons that live within some. This movie in my opinion wasn't really about wrestling.

5/5 you will not be disappointed

I decided to buy The Wrestler, mainly because of all of the hype surrounding it. The movie without question surpassed my expectations and is one of the best movies i`ve seen in the last few years. Mickey Rourke gave one of those extraordinary performances that you see from an actor every few years. He perfectly portrayed Randy The Ram, who mirrored himself. Plus Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood gave great supporting performance in the movie as well. I highly recommend that everyone watch The Wrestler, because it is a great quality movie that has outstanding acting and a great story, which is sadly becoming rarer these days.