Blood, Sweat, and Glory: "The Wrestler" Review

"I'm a broken down piece of meat, and I deserve to be alone. I just don't want you to hate me." Acclaimed director Darron Aronofsky delivers yet again with what could be called the greatest movie of the decade. "The Wrestler" is amazingly powerful film that tells the story of aging wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson. The Ram was considered one of the greatest of all time, famous for his classic match with The Ayatollah in the 1980's. Now well into his forties, Randy begins to struggle with life, knowing that he cannot wrestle forever. Now well past his golden age, Randy barely gets work wrestling for little independent wrestling companies and signing autographs.

When his health begins to go, Randy finally starts to reconcile with his life outside the squared circle. He begins to mend to his troubled relationship with his estranged daughter, he falls in love with a stripper, and starts working full time at a grocery store. For a moment, Randy is happy. His life is finally starting to mend, until the roar of the crowd and the glory of leaping off the top rope tempt him back into the ring for one finally shot at super stardom. Overall, this was without a doubt one of the best movies I have ever had the privelege of viewing. Randy Robinson is played by Mickey Rourke, Hollywood's official badboy. Never before has a character and his actor had such a parallel storyline. Mickey's acting career has always been held back by his bad attitude and drug problems. In "The Wrestler", Mickey Rourke puts on the performance of a lifetime, and much like The Ram, may have finally got his shot to be back on top. Randy Robinson is without a doubt one of the most unique and conflicting characters to ever grace the silver screen. You can love him, and you can hate him at the same time. Mickey Rourke can make you laugh, and he can just as easily make you cry. He can make you cheer for The Ram just as if you were there in the crowd, watching him leap from the top rope onto his fallen opponent.

The story is one that has never before been told, and is one that gives the audience a look at the stories of the guys people pay to watch tear each other apart. The film has already taken home two Golden Globe wins, and one nomination. Mickey Rourke won Best Actor in a Motion Picture while Bruce Springsteen won Best Original Song. Rourke's co-star Marisa Tomei was nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture. Rourke and Tomei also have their hopes up for taking home Academy Awards at this years ceremony. Overall, "The Wrestler" is absolutely a must see. It is such a crime that this film has not been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. This film is without a doubt a 9.5 out of 10. Follow one of the most moving stories of all time and witness the ressurection of Mickey Rourke and Randy "The Ram" Robinson.



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