The Wrestler

Audience Reviews

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Luke L Apr 17, 2019 Aronofsky signs off a second masterpiece after Requiem For A Dream and before Black Swan, in which his disturbing film-making process is only outranked by Rourke's stunning performance See more

Poe W Nov 29, 2018 Many of us search for success in our lives. For those who have gained glory and lost it, what then gives our life meaning? Randy 'The Ram' Robinson (Mickey Rourke), washed-up wrestler, seeks to reclaim his lost splendor and restore his relationship with his daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood) to gain a sense of purpose in The Wrestler. However, the road to recovery is paved with repentance, regret and low-paying backyard wrestling gigs in front of crowds no more than thirty. What makes The Wrestler compelling, above all else, is its innate ability to capture a man at his most desperate without teetering into melodrama. Filmed in a way that almost makes it look like a documentary, it chronicles the uniquely human search for redemption through fame, fortune, and in Randy's case, second chances at stardom. The story acts as an allegory for Mickey Rourke's own personal life and career-being a professional boxer himself and falling from the limelight-adding an unexpected complexity to the narrative. Director Darren Aronofsky's steady fingers draw deeply personal, yet subtle pain from Rourke, flooding the screen with genuine emotion and one of the best performances in over a decade. Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood also provide excellent supporting acts that highlight the tragic, unflinching character flaws of Randy the Ram's psyche. You root for him despite his continuous narcissistic choices and vicious cycle he thrusts upon himself that leave him loveless and alone, and it ultimately culminates in a beautifully metaphorical ending about our incessant drive for recognition as human beings. See more

Ron W Oct 2, 2018 It's an unusual Aronofsky film, but in the best possible way you can imagine. Less impalpable horror, and much more heart. Mickey Rourke gives a memorable performance as an aging wrestler coming to what may be the end and fighting to redeem himself, but also realizing you can't change who you are and what you love. See more

Kylo S Sep 17, 2018 to get in his mind subconsciously.. The Wrestler The Wrestler is a character driven drama about a sunken wrestler whose behind the stage life episodes changes drastically after he faces health issues. The camera work is manually handled which offers us a more personal experience and the perspective of the protagonist that helps us to get in his mind subconsciously. It is somewhat of a palindrome to "Rocky", but it has its own personality that comes alive through Rourke's gut wrenching performance. The background score is aptly scored with up lifting songs, decent cinematography and perfect editing. Ticking for around 100 minutes, the tale soaks up every emotional combat of protagonist's life. Siegel's narration isn't of a newer structure and webs out a safer play, but within its familiarity, it is thoroughly competent. The storytelling is elaborative and enthralling with a rhythmic beats that elevates the momentum of the sequences and glorifies each tiny notions. As mentioned earlier the performance objective is more than safe with Rourke on driver seat amping up the tale, alongwith Tomei's another mature and stable performance. Aronofsky is in his A game, flaunting his skills with such panache that his bubble doesn't seem fictitious at all, it's like the staged wrestling that Rourke does in here, but this time the audience hassled, is us. There aren't much verbal sparrings in this busy world, the props are used wisely along with all the all the physical sequences to speak volume and advance the plotline. The build up of all the leaps and eerie decisions that each characters make, the conversations are impressive, Tomei's inspiring track, the inner world of wrestling and Rourke's heartwarming performance are the high points of the feature. The Wrestler is a challenging eye popping tale to convey the message it actually wraps and its Aronofsky and his equally invested cast that makes it worth listening to. See more

Poe S Sep 3, 2018 Great movie. But sad. Hard to watch more than once.

Rey P Aug 18, 2018 A venture from the usual mind-bending work of Darren Aronofsky, The Wrestler is a sad and sobering tale of never giving up on your dream. Mickey Rourke absolutely crushes this performance. Evan Rachel Wood also shines as his estranged daughter, coming to grips with his life. See more

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The Wrestler

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