Much like the actor who portrays him, Randy 'The Ram' Robinson is in search for a comeback. Living for the thrill of the moment and the admiration from his most beloved fans, Robinson goes to the ring each and every night, beating his body to the brink of death, all for those who crowd around to watch. But when a heart attack forces him into retirement, Robinson takes a long look at the man with whom he has become. Unsatisfied with his personal and romantic relationships, the once famed wrestler looks to improve life in both areas as he sets out to reconnect with his daughter. Yet the longing for a personal connection holds nothing against the ring and passion which resonates from it.
Told with undeniable passion, emotion and energy, Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler does little wrong in its successful attempt to rejuvenate the career of MIckey Rourke. In the process, a great story is told; one of powerful antics and all-too-familiar scenarios. The end result is something astonishingly powerful, brining the film and its characters to an immediate halt, forcing the audience to decipher their lives, intentions and ultimate demise.
Starring Hollywood favorite Mickey Rourke, in what is easily his biggest and best performance of his career, the film reaches new bounds never thought possible. The transition of Robinson, done completely on screen, helps the audience connect with Randy as he must adjust his life without his biggest passion, wrestling.
Throughout the film their are moments of heartache, moments of pride and moments of unexpected turmoil. But for each new obstacle, a seemingly simple conclusion lay ahead; a conclusion that always proves to be an uphill battle for both Randy and those in question.
One such obstacle is Cassidy, played to flawless perfection by Marisa Tomei. A stripper by day and a mother by night, Cassidy is the lone person who trust and believes in our main protagonist. She is his guiding ship, without her, there is no future. However, forced to play by her 'stripper' rules, she is unable to build a solid friendship with Randy, prompting a mixture of emotions as he pushes hard to understand their complex and unexplainable relationship.
Combine that with an attempt to connect with his long estranged daughter Stephanie, and Randy lives an unflattering life of ridicule and bewilderment.
The film is his story, told through his eyes. The ending will catch you off guard, but then again, most great films leave you in a state of awkward confusion. HOwever, here, you are unsure of how to interpret the film's final scene; whether to rejoice at the passion or frustrate at the demise. Either way, one thing is for sure, the story is authentic and raw, making the film an astonishing piece of art, easily worthy of the time and effort of a watch.
