Wrestling With Life and One's Self.

Rating: Null/10 (29 April 2009)

Bleak, dark, and arguably empty piece from young gifted director Darren Aronofsky (best known for "Pi" and "Requiem for a Dream") focuses on the potential fleeting last professional days of the titled character (Mickey Rourke, definitely looking much different from his hay-day of the 1980s). Rourke is a has-been who seems to have found ways in every direction to mess up his life, whether it be with steroid use, over-drinking, his somewhat indifferent attitude towards women, or his acutely strained relationship (or lack thereof) with adult daughter Evan Rachel Wood. Also along for the demoralizing trip is over-the-hill lap dancer Marisa Tomei who just seems to be the kind of girl who would get mixed up in the titled character's pathetic existence. "The Wrestler" is one of those pictures which works in downward cycles. Just when you think there is going to be a redeeming and uplifting moment in the film, the characters find a way to mess it up. In short, the movie examines the extreme foibles and miscues of people who just seem destined to underachieving and sometimes ultimate failure. Overall, the film keeps the audience interested in spite of itself. The world of wrestling becomes a boring and almost completely unnecessary footnote as over-pumped boneheads have jam sessions choreographing their upcoming bouts. The sport does not generate much enthusiasm and its use here was meant to prove a point which is never fully realized. Over-hyped and way over-praised. 4 stars out of 5.