The Wrestler - opinions?

[jamestyler]

I hate posting new threads... but I recently attending a screening of this film and discussed it with wrestlers and wrestling fans. But their views on the film are slightly biased seeing as it's a wrestling movie that doesn't involve David Arquette or Jack Black...

Anyway - for those who don't know it's a film in which Mickey Rourke portrays 'The Ram', a wrestler who was at his peak in the 80's and twenty years later he's still in the business working for the regular smaller/local promotions which is a far cry from his glory years.

It ends up mirroring elements of former 80's stars, the relationship with his daughter following a similar pattern to what was seen with Jake 'The Snake' Roberts in the documentary Beyond the Mat, and shows a man who's miserable, lonely and facing the wreck his body and his life has become.

Despite loving the film, I left the screening really bummed out by the whole thing. There was a lot of truth in it that I think wrestlers of all ages and walks of life/levels of career can relate to - though that may be a personal perspective as I know a lot of damage that can occur personally more than others I work with - and the fans that know theres wrestling outside WWE will (and have) see the reality in it.

But - much like the Ram - pretty much everyone I know is in the business or connected to it. Even my daughter is the result of having a relationship with a girl who came to see a show (for some reason women find me more attractive in spandex). So I'm wondering if the opinions I've heard (and in a way, my opinion) might be biased.

I imagine most people here aren't wrestling fans... so I'm curious, what do film fans think?

For anyone who hasn't seen it and might be reading - I know it's not exactly high brow entertainment, my in-laws were especially vocal in that , would the fact it's about a wrestler turn you off?

 

[Holdfast]

Jake 'The Snake' Roberts...

Haven't seen the film, but man, I haven't thought about Jake "The Snake" Roberts in YEARS! Sad to hear life's not working out for him though from what you say.

 

[jamestyler]

Jake 'The Snake' Roberts...

Haven't seen the film, but man, I haven't thought about Jake "The Snake" Roberts in YEARS! Sad to hear life's not working out for him though from what you say.

The last I head of him was this incident where he was so drunk and high that his opponent got angry at him and forced him into a pin. It's a real shame considering he had one of the best minds in the business and is now seen as a wasted, homeless addict.

If anyones curious about the Roberts-Ram comparison the Beyond the Mat documentary is on YouTube. I didn't follow anything about the making of the movie or influences, but it seems obvious the relationship in that clip was a huge influence.

 

[Othello]

Every person I've talked to who has seen it, wrestling fan or not, has had nothing but good things to say about it. I'm a die hard fan and have yet to see it but cannot wait to do so.

 

[Lookingglassman]

I love Mickey Rourke so I plan to see this.

 

[Kelso]

I absolutely loved it... and I have no interest in wrestling (or any sport) whatsoever.

 

[DonIago]

I've heard it's a good movie, and the trailer wasn't too shabby (saw it twice since it was before "Milk", which is _definitely_ a good movie). That being said, I don't think I personally would be able to get into it, but there's a significant chance that says more about me than it does about the movie.

 

[Hermiod]

Every review review I have seen has been entirely positive. The only person I know of who didn't like it was Vince McMahon, so you know it's good.

I think even JR liked it.

 

[Stone_Cold_Sisko]

Mickey Rourke did a pretty phenomenal acting job in it. And holy hell did Marissa Tomei keep in shape. It was pretty true to life as far as the backstage wrestling lingo and traditions go.

 

[jamestyler]

Every review review I have seen has been entirely positive. The only person I know of who didn't like it was Vince McMahon, so you know it's good.

I think even JR liked it.

When I read he hated it I knew I'd love it Though I'll always love the rant he had in an interview a few years ago. I can't remember what show it was, but I do remember Roddy Piper talking about how bleak his future looked - and finding himself fired soon after.

Mickey Rourke did a pretty phenomenal acting job in it. And holy hell did Marissa Tomei keep in shape. It was pretty true to life as far as the backstage wrestling lingo and traditions go.

Very true.. surrounding that little things like forearms to the walls and name issue amused me for the weird reality of it from guys insisting on not using real names on name tags (a B&Q near me being an example of that as you may end up being served by someone whos tag reads 'Raging Bull') to some of my closest friends not having a clue what my real name is. I even accidentally signed my daughters birth certificate with my stage name.

I thnk it'll get praise for being true to reality with the wrestling aspects, but how that falls into real life made for a better touch for me. Instead of being Robin at home and Randy at work, those lines were ust as blurred for him as they are for me.