the surprise festival film slightly underwhelms

Rating: 5/10 (27 October 2008)

Showing at the London Film Festival as the surprise entry in the programme, 'The Wrestler', a film I would have avoided had it been listed by title, has interest purely because it provides 80s favourite Mickey Rourke with a powerful leading role. And he's good as ageing extreme wrestler Randy 'The Ram' Robinson.
It's just a shame that a/ the storyline is somewhat predictable: central character with medical flaw which could curtail his life? check; tart with a heart as a kind of love interest which doesn't really go anywhere? check; sulky teenage daughter with goth clothes and hate in her eyes? check ... b/ that there is as much gore shown as there is. I didn't think it was justified, although of course the subject matter means we have to see some of the life in the ring.
So it gets five stars for five things. First,some memorable scenes - Randy in the deli having fun with the customers, Cassidy and Randy shopping for a present for his daughter, Randy and his daughter dancing in a derelict building on a catch-up trip, the contrast of the sheer violence of the ring with a little kid playing with his doll figure of 'The Ram'. Second, a pulsing AC/DC soundtrack which really works. Third, Rourke's performance, which is excellent even if the film isn't. Fourth, for its style and energy. Fifth, for keeping exactly to a scenario we could see coming from the opening few minutes, but doing it in such a way that it isn't necessarily boring.
Not my cup of tea, then, and too violent in places, but 'The Wrestler' is a solid enough film of its type. Just not my type - but it is good once in a while to see something outside of your comfort zone.