I saw The Wrestler the other day and think it is brilliant.
Mickey Rourke plays the role of a washed up wrestler - Randy 'The Ram' Robinson - who is making ends meet working in a supermarket warehouse and wrestling for independent federations on weekends.
The opening montage of the movie shows handbills, posters and magazines portraying the highlights of The Ram's career and then the film begins twenty years later showing the wrestler getting a measly pay-off from a promoter in a dirty dressing room.
Living on former glories is the running theme in the movie. There is an older stripper who befriends Randy and she too is facing the realisation that time has passed her by. This creates a bond between the pair.
When I heard the film was being made there was talk on who this character would resemble the most and I think that there is a plethora of washed-up guys working the indy scene that can fit.
Jake Roberts, Bobby Eaton, Scott Hall, Ricky Morton and many more. Take your pick.
For a work of fiction, it was so real.
This is the story that so many guys have lived and will live. It was researched well.
Nicholas Cage was originally meant to play the lead role and I'm glad he didn't do it. Mickey Rourke has the face and mannerisms and pulled it off perfectly. Cage - on the other hand - would have made a less realistic portrayal of a has-been wrestler in my opinion.
There has been a lot of talk about this film being nominated for an Oscar and I have been programmed to acknowledge that not every critically acclaimed performance guarantees an Oscar.
I have this feeling that this film will be overlooked - I hope I am wrong, it deserves some recognition.
Even if you aren't a fan of professional wrestling, I urge you to go see it.
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