A Wounded Hero

Rating: 10/10 (4 January 2009)

This statement is almost contradictory, but it truly reflects how many will perceive the lead man in "The Wrestler": It is a lovely film. It is lovely because it acknowledges the good in most of us, even those who look, act, or are different. The people who inhabit the world of "The Wrestler" are faded shadows of people with incredible potential and missed opportunities. What is admirable about them is their ability to keep going, to survive, to continue fighting for hope and love in the middle of their damaged world.
At the center of this dark and miserable world is Rourke's broken wrestler, a person who is hurting both inside and outside, a character fully developed who has punished himself in such a way he's now pain the consequences, and it is as hellish an existence as we have ever seen. He has gotten to the end of a life where he can't find admiration, support, love, or even a simple moment when there is not a painful reminder that is life is failure. Watching Rourke in the fight scenes Ia almost a torture because of the way each blow, each injury, each close up reveals how new and old injuries have been created.
The director also takes us inside his soul and doesn't pull back as we learn, experience, and suffer his frustration at his unsuccessful attempts to reconcile with his daughter (Even Rachel Wood) in a superb performance. Most touching are his several scenes with Marissa Tomei, another hurting survivor who has learned to keep going by isolating herself emotionally from anyone who can be a potential source for more emotional disappointment. Tomei's stripper is tough, sweet, still confused, and unsure of what her perspective about dreaming again might be.
The most amazing revelation is Rourke's broken man, a character who should be all accounts quit, give up, stop trying to breathe as he discovers that nothing in this world seems to work in his favor, but he keeps going, limping, gasping for oxygen, pushing a heart that threatens to destroy the possibility of a new day. He looks around, looking at the daily reminders of his pathetic life, and he forges ahead, hoping something will work out today or tomorrow.
He gives an inspiring performance, and as the screen goes blank before the closing credit, takes on a soaring trip into a place where anything might be possible, and yet there is always the disturbing wake up call that kills our hopes again. It is a breathtaking and painful film to watch, but we must treasure it because it shows how strong we can be when facing darkness.