Ramming

Rating: 10/10 (5 January 2009)

If you have a favorite sports star today that you notice might be having a little too much fun, you'd have a good idea what he/she will look like in 20 years  if they're still around  in 'The Wrestler.' A knock-out (no pun, although, not a fan of wrestling, I'm probably off on this one) performance from Mickey Rourke, one of the year's best, make that, one of the best performances I've ever seen. But, unlike 'Revolutionary Road,' 'Milk,' 'Frost/Nixon'  three of the best performance-driven movies of 2008, this one has the pleasure of having an excellent film above the ones mentioned. Again, despite not a pro-wrestling or sports-themed movie buff (especially dislike the based/inspired on a true story/real-events/true events sport-themed, so-called feel good films that ALL BLEND IN), I found myself swept up in the bonding of the sports figures, the ones on the way out and in, the relationship with the fans, and where they end up 20 years after their heyday. Marisa Tomei was excellent as well, as was the 80's soundtrack. And since this is not one of the "true sports stories" that ALL END THE SAME, it's refreshing to see an original idea, original dialogue, original take on a sport that's generally not taken seriously. I'm sorry to say, if I had been a fan of the sport, I might have even appreciated this excellent film all the more, especially with the dozens of cameos I might have known. But, I still rated the movie the highest, even without the background knowledge and built in fan recognition. Finally, as I said in the opening, this actually applies to all people and a perfect example of the end results to people unwilling to say no to an unhealthy lifestyle. (Myself included.)