The Wrestler
Darren Aronofsky | USA | 2008
109 min

The Wrestler is a devastating film about Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a once-upon-a-time famous wrestler, who now hawks his autographs at poorly-attended conventions, sleeps in a minivan when he cannot make rent, hasn’t spoken to his estranged teenage daughter in years, and is in love with a stripper that charges him $60 for a private lap dance. Old, vulnerable and alone, Randy still wrestles in basement gyms, and has not retired because he has nothing to retire to. Randy is played by Mickey Rourke with an aching sadness in a performance that may move you to tears.

Rourke whose own fall from grace in real life mirrors his tragic onscreen character, may be the most perfect actor for this role. Independent American filmmaker Darren Aronofsky, known primarily for his inventive camerawork, delivers memorable visual flourishes (the camera lovingly follows Rourke from behind, mimicking his walk to the ring), but with The Wrestler Aronofsky has also demonstrated his commitment to dialog and actors, using Rourke’s natural charisma as the fuse in an emotionally-charged character study of a broken, lonely man.