Old Fashioned Theme but Very Good

Rating: 8/10 (23 January 2009)

This film is old fashioned in many ways but nonetheless very enjoyable.
How many films have we seen where a down on his luck character does his best to get his live back together by reconciling with family and having a last try for true love? This is the story of "The Wrestler" in a nutshell but what makes it stand out are the performances of Rourke and Tomei in particular and the uncompromising detail of the wrestling sequences.
There is no doubt that Mickey Rourke's real life fall from grace was in my mind as I watched him play Randy The Ram Robinson. You can't help but wonder how much of his own life he sees in the character. Randy realises in the film that the only part of his life that he can be successful in is wrestling. We see how his attempts at family relationships and holding down a job are doomed to failure. He hates being called by his real name, even while working in a deli. In the end he admits that in front of his adoring fans is the only place that he can feel comfortable and happy. He thinks he sees a kindred spirit in exotic dancer Cassidy. She, however, is very careful to separate her "real life", raising a son, saving to buy a condo, from her life as a performer. She has a rule of no contact with customers outside the bar. She is tempted to break it with Randy but in the end they both realise (at different times) that it won't work.
Even an ending that can be seen coming from a long way out doesn't take away from this excellent movie. The wrestling scenes are excellent, getting across the performance aspect of the "show" as well as the down at heel air of wrestling at a lower level. Recommended viewing.