The Perfect Comeback

Rating: 10/10 (30 April 2009)

The finest cinema experience derives itself from the well of dilution of reality and fantasy, actor and role, scene and surroundings. It is the paramount necessity for immersion of the moviegoer in the sights and sounds of a 2 hour story on screen immersion beyond the shallow depths – immersion so deep as to leave the experience dripping from the lips, running off the fingers the viewer awash in a tale that soaked thru to the heart.
Romantic indulgences aside, The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke is the latest entry into the "Success" column of said requirements. Without a doubt, it is far less a movie featuring an actor so very well skilled in his craft as it is the camera-held vista into the crushing world of an ex-warrior no longer able to take a steady step into a single minute of his remaining days. Bleached blonde, steroid-enhanced, tanned and toting every ounce of machismo as could be mined in any given biker weekend, Randy "The Ram" lives in the shadows of his once glorious wrestling career. He has no family save a daughter that hates him. He has no true friends but those that depend on him for small appearances or drug supplies. He has nothing but a van and constant struggles with landlords to keep from sleeping in it. His story is one of greatness lost that is mesmerizing to watch. It is a story normally overlooked by people who pass those like Randy by at the end of a bar with complete indifference... but within Randy's life is a search for redemption. He knows he is better than the gutter and fights blindly to recapture the light and it is there that the movie becomes spectacular. And as the story unfolds, the keen viewer soon realizes that it concerns not just the comeback of a down-but-not-out "Ram"; it is the resurrection of a great actor. It could be (and has been) said that Mickey Rourke, a once-promising A-list actor whose 80's career high spiraled into a near-endless series of bad movies (and a brief stint in boxing), brought much of his own personal tale of redemption into this role. It could be said that his usual self-assured swagger simply worked well in this role. It could be said that he lucked into the once-in-a-lifetime performance not to be duplicated. A lot could be said. What WILL be said is that he is a master. The pain, emotional and physical, across his face is a torment that strikes again and again until the tale is told. Going in knowing fully well who the lead actor was, I almost found myself searching the credits to confirm it. He is truly that mesmerizing the complete dilution of reality and fantasy. A truly fine actor. Accompanying Mickey is Marisa Tomei. Picasso had his Blue Period, Monet had that spell with water lilies, and raven-haired Academy Award Winning Miss Tomei continues to indulge her bad girl streak. Teased with in Slums of Beverly Hills, stereotypically indulged in Wild Hogs (a 'movie' I hesitate to mention at all), it is deftly honed to hurt perfection here. Wild and woolly in the club "The Ram" frequents, she absolutely shatters perceptions when she accepts his invitation to a 'date' and shows up in daylight as a tender, bundled-up woman both more vulnerable and smarter than the initial "looking for bills" sneers her profession demands. She is the anchor that steadies a Randy adrift she is the face that brings calm throughout the whirlwind of encounters he stumbles through. And he, in turn, gives her a much-needed gift for her efforts - respect. One of the better cinematic relationships forged. The best I've seen in years. Go in watching The Wrestler with the expectation that it will be an indulgent, moody independent flick that will leave you dull and sour. Go out refreshed with the gift of a glimpse into the life of people downed by the world but not defeated. People choosing to define themselves against the labels of an indifferent society. People triumphant.
And one final note in Mr. Rourke's favor, again Hollywood politics alone kept him from getting the Academy Award this past year. His performance is truly one for the ages.