Professional wrestling is a lot of show… a lot of spectacle… a lot of heart and a hell of a lot of balls. The industry has grown so far in such a short time span. Before there was a Vince McMahon and the WWE there were these territories that ran the wrestling world. Such organizations like the AWA, WCCW, NWA and the WWWF were the places to be. McMahon took his fathers’ company and revolutionized the industry to what it is today. There are still promotions out there that service small areas where young upstarts and old-timers work for peanuts to put on a good show. The East Coast is one such territory rich in what are now known as independents. There are many wonderful promotions like Ring of Honor, Combat Zone Wrestling, Lehigh Valley Wrestling and the World Wide Wrestling Alliance that are trying to keep these traditions alive.
The Wrestler stars Mickey Rourke in his comeback film as aged wrestler Randy The Ram. Randy was at the top of his game in the 80s and fell from grace and now works the East Coast indy circuit trying to scrounge out a living while battling with his failing health from bad knees and heart to back trouble and a hearing aid. He lives in a trailer park (he can’t even make lot rent) and works at the ACME part time and begging for more hours. After a hardcore match he collapses from an apparent heart attack and faced with the end of his career and possibly his life going in for “one last match” he tried to reconnect with his daughter played by Evan Rachel Wood.
I am a wrestling fan. I know some people have a hard time admitting this but I grew up watching the circuits and the WWF was sort of a “eh, nothing else good is on”. I live in Pennsylvania and in Allentown which is actually a pretty hyped of wrestling area. The Wild Samoans are from here (the Rock spent some time in our educational system) as well as the Nasty Boys, Billy Kidman and a whole lot of others. I’ve worked in the industry as merchandise and design for an indy and I’ve known some of these guys – at time this movie is pretty heartbreaking because it is a realization of what some of these guys go thru – how sad it is to see a huge star you grew up with working a deli meat counter.
One of the more pivotal moments in the film is when the Ram is at an autograph signing with other wrestlers. As he looks around the room he sees where he is and where he doesn’t want to be – old and out of a job. In a likely pairing the Ram is infatuated with an exotic dancer who isn’t as young as she used to be and she’s going down the same road and she’s falling for the broken down has been despite fighting it tooth and nail.
The Wrestler is about heart, triumph and a need to regain past glory at any cost. It has some great wrestling action that was filmed perfectly. The soundtrack is kicking with awesome 80’s tracks – I was in hog heaven. Wrestlers and retirement is like eating just one Pringles chip – you just can’t. There is just something about it that says “do more” – even if down the road it will kill you. When you watch this movie as a wrestling fan it will change your appreciation of the guys who work the industry and if you aren’t a wrestling fan it will give you an appreciation of them.
You will understand from scene one just why Rourke is nominated for a Golden Globe and will probably win it – he is just that damn good as is every other actor in this movie right down to the sleazy manager at the ACME. Marisa Tomei as the stripper love interest was exceptionally gorgeous. The movie culminates in Randy’s “final match” with his arch nemesis from the 80s: The Ayatollah as played by Ernest “The Cat” Miller from the heyday of World Championship Wrestling.
In two words: SEE THIS! I mean it. Indy movies and indy wrestling. This should have been made a long, long time ago.
