Review: The Wrestler

Review: The WrestlerSunday, July 5, 2009 10:42 PM
Title: The Wrestler
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marrissa Tomei, Evan Rachael Wood
Directed by: Darren Arnofsky
Written by: Robert D Seigel

Having totally agreed with the choice of Sean Penn for the best acting award in Milk, I was curious to see Mickey Rourke's performance because he beat Penn to the Golden Globe acting award. The sight of him in the Golden Globe ceremony with chains had left me wondering what kind of a character was the Wrestler if Mickey Rourke did well. In all fairness Mickey has given truly nuanced performance. The story is about a proffesional wrestler Randy The Ram who is feeling lonely inspite of his celebtrity in the WWF circuits. He befriends Cassidy ( Marissa Tomei) who is an exotic dancer. She suggest that he should reconnect with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachael Wood). How this turns out is the movie. The story itself does not have much twists or turns. But there are many situations which are emotional. The director aided by Rourke have created some very nice and tender moments. Infact what stands out in the movie is the bonhomie between opposing wrestlers who band togethar like a family outside of the ring. There are some nice scenes invloving the interactions between the wrestlers. Inspite of all their bravado, the WWF wrestlers seem to have a tender heart and have the same ups and downs as the rest of us.

It is a well directed and acted movie. But it does not have a very complicated story to tell. For that reason it is difficult to appreicate the movie beyond "well done".

Score: 6 out of 10