Touching, disturbing and brilliantly acted

Rating: Null/10 (31 December 2008)

This film is about a top wrestler who fights against his ailing health and his estranged daughter.
"The Wrestler" is a powerful film. The wrestling scenes are shockingly disturbing. I never understood the attraction of wrestling, and I certainly do not understand why the crowd cheers when wrestler staple themselves with a stapler. This sado-masochistic mutilation and is deeply disturbing.
The rest of the film is also handled well. The two scenes at the butcher counter contrasts sharply with each other, powerfully providing an insight to Randy's mind. It is also refreshing to see emotional elements in an adrenaline packed film. The scene where Randy takes Stephanie to the seaside is great, as Mickey Rourke portrays his character's guilt and remorse brilliantly, thereby touching Stephanie's longing for a father who cares.