What can I say? Spellbound!!

Rating: 10/10 (31 December 2008)

This is certainly the best film of 2008. Mickey Rourke as Randy 'The Ram' Robinson provides us a glimpse of what he is capable off in front of the camera. This is a character study more than cinematic genius. Most part of the movie, we see only the camera following Randy wherever he goes. More of a 'Dogma' styled work. But it is Rourke & Marisa Tomei (to a lesser extent) who takes this movie to great heights. In a way Aronofsky let the actors' do their part. There is no high-end gimmickry, special effects etc. We see the protagonist life as it is. Perhaps its budgetary constraints OR deliberate.
This is a rough movie. There is no fake blood. Everyone knows that (including myself) wrestling is staged. But the injuries are real. The camaraderie that these athletes have is incredible. In one of the most unforgettable scenes (towards the end), Randy is fighting 'The Ayatholla' (Ernest Miller), supposedly the 20 yr rematch. Of course 'The Ram' has to win the match. But will his heart allow? We see his opponent on the canvas but Randy is clutching his chest. His opponent is asking him to pin him up. But Randy has to do the dramatic - climb on the top rope and jump. But just before that he has a look at the far end of the arena to see if Tomei is still there. because she has left just before that final moment, Randy leaves a sigh and jumps. We can only guess what happens next. If she had stayed, possibly he would have just gone for a simple pin. But no, Randy has to do the risky move, because he knows he has nothing more to live for.
Will Rourke win the Oscar? I sincerely hope so. Besides the point of winning or loosing the coveted award, Rourke must be proud of his performance. For he has given us an incredible lesson in 'Method' acting. Next time when someone tells you that wrestling is staged, ask them to watch this movie. It may be staged, but the pain is very real and so is the blood.
The wrestler is a master work from a brilliant director.