Good in all respects but doesn't quite excel

Rating: Null/10 (8 April 2009)

I have used a symphony restructure as analogy in commenting on quite a few movies and I'll resort to that again here.
The first movement introduces the audience to the reality of the world of "professional" wrestling. I'm surprised if anyone is not aware that "professional" in this context refers more to acting ability rather than athletic ability although the latter is also required. But few (including this comment poster) have seen such an unflinchingly gritty depiction of the things (which I do not have the stomach to describe) that are done on stage, sorry, I mean in the ring, to please the bloodthirsty, sadistic audience. The amazing thing is the genuine comradeship and care backstage between the people who inflict all kinds of pain unimaginable to one another out there in front of the audience. We see all these through the protagonist Randy "The Ram" (Mickey Rourke), 20 years after his peak, still struggling to make a living. The first movement ends with Randy passing out backstage after a gruesome match, and discovered to have a heart condition that almost killed him.
The second movement brings up two new themes, romance and parental love. Facing poverty and loneliness, Randy is not about to give up. As a lucrative, after-20-years rematch is all but out of the question Randy takes up odd jobs, including working behind a meat counter in a supermarket. Amazingly, he enjoys this, and brings a jovial atmosphere to his work environment. He also develops a promising relationship with a stripper Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), who in turn suggests that he look up and make amends with estranged daughter Stephanie. This does not start out well but gradually, Stephanie is won over. If this were really a symphony, you would here the gloomy minor keys modulate into bright harmonies in major keys.
The mood turns ominous again in the third movement, as things start to go wrong. Cassidy tells him that the limit has been reached, the intimacy is a mistake and she would rather consider him a paying customer and nothing more. Through negligence, he hits a raw nerve with Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood), reigniting all the antagonism of the neglected little girl to a point beyond absolution. It comes therefore as no surprise that he finally reaches the breaking point at his job. With nothing left but his two old friends, poverty and loneliness, Randy has only one option left – to go back to the only thing he really knowns. The rematch is on again.
The final movement needs no elaboration, unless this is the first time you ever see a movie.
One thing about this movie that I notice is that there is no villain, unless you count the obnoxious supermarket manager. As I mentioned, once they get backstage, the wrestlers who appears to be trying to kill each other in the ring treat each other with nothing less than, warm, loving care. The tragedy of Randy is in himself. With all his shortcomings and weaknesses, Randy is a good man. And that is the most heartbreaking thing.
Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei certainly deserve their Oscar nominations and no one would object if they won (Rourke did win the Golden Globe). But then, it's a tough competition. One main reason for me to see this movie is actually Evan Rachel Wood who was so impressive playing against Michael Douglas in "King of California". In fact, she almost reprised the same role here, with just the father replaced. But then "King" is a heart-warming comedy while "Wrestler" is a heart-breaking tragedy and she has a far less significant role here.
"The wrestler" is a good movie, scoring high in every respect. It's just that it doesn't excel in any particular way.