The Wrestler

[thepaulo]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ie53ddac733c873cc30206dc4f36f8ada

....apparently Mickey Rourke is finnally going to win that Oscar.

[Heather 8]

I was an extra in the movie (really stretched my abilities and played a wrestling fan, as did fellow board member SpicyMcHaggis), so I'm interested to see it, of course. Didn't see much of Mickey's acting chops during the scenes I took part in (as he was being flung around the ring by a much younger, in-shape guy), but I've been reading good things about his performance as well.

[thepaulo]

It's the new Darron Aronosky film and Venice basically went beserk for the film and gave it the Golden Lion and Best Actor amid thunderous applause and standing ovations.

[MagillaGorillaz]

I can't resist.

Looks like Mickey Rourke is gonna put Oscar in a figure four leg lock guh guh guh

[Don Stugots]

the wrestler put the oscar in a sleeper hold for this sleep hit guh guh guh

[Tall_James]

I was an extra in the movie (really stretched my abilities and played a wrestling fan,

Best Supporting Actress perhaps? I can see it now...

"Heather 8 is feeling Peachy as she gets the Oscah...geh geh geh!"

[commish13]

I'm also an extra in the movie. I was at the two ROH shows in Jersey that they filmed at. I talked with Ernest Miller (who plays the Ayatollah) and bumped into Marisa Tomei, who was doing her best to not be noticed, wearing a giant white parka in a crowd where NOBODY would be wearing a giant white parka except for a movie star trying to not be recognized.

I also had a quick interaction with Aronofsky while waiting on line to get in on the first night. The filming was long and tiring, but I'm really looking forward to this movie.

[thepaulo]

If Mickey Rourke pulls this off I think it'll be a cinderella story.

[thepaulo]

I should also mention Marrisa Tomei is during major nudity as the stripper girlfriend.

[Don Stugots]

Marisa Tomei will use Oscar as a stripper pole guh guh guh

[KnoxHarrington]

I actually wanted to like "The Fountain", but it was a total mess. It's sad when a movie actually tries to do something creative and interesting and just fails, as opposed to being a loud piece of garbage like "Transformers". But I think Aronofsky fell into the trap of being more fascinated by the ideas he was putting forth than telling an interesting story. Yes, film can be philosophical, and explore ideas, and be artistic, but I think that, first, it's a narrative medium, and if the narrative is flawed, that causes the framework you put the other stuff on to collapse entirely.

So it does sound like he's taking a step in the right direction here.

[GreatAmericanZero]

everything I read about this movie makes me think it is the movie that Barton Fink wrote


"I tried to make something beautiful"

[Tall_James]

everything I read about this movie makes me think it is the movie that Barton Fink wrote


"I tried to make something beautiful"

Wow, excellent reference GAZ. 10 pts to you.

[donnie_darko]

oh mickey you so fine, you so fine your acting blew my minddddddd, at the oscarsss, gehgehgeh?

[Heather 8]

From Dave Meltzer's website:

After the great response to the movie in Venice and Toronto over the weekend, a bidding war took place last night for the theatrical distribution rights to "The Wrestler." Fox Searchlight won the U.S. rights with a $4 million bid.

[Johnny Manf]

my brother saw it on sunday at the toronto film festival and said it was fuckin amazing. he told me i am going to love it even more just because i'm a big wrestling fan. this just got bumped up to most anticipated of the rest of the year.

[hammersavage]

I should also mention Marrisa Tomei is during major nudity as the stripper girlfriend.

say no more. i am there opening day. after 'before the devil knows you're dead', she moved to the top of my over 40 list.

[thepaulo]

Maybe Marissa's beaver will get a second Oscar.

[Heather 8]

Fox Searchlight has announced that The Wrestler will be released on December 19 so Rourke can qualify for an Oscar nod.

[Tall_James]

Fox Searchlight has announced that The Wrestler will be released on December 19 so Heather 8 can qualify for an Oscar nod.

Fixed it for ya.

[Heather 8]

Fox Searchlight has announced that The Wrestler will be released on December 19 so Heather 8 can be thoroughly disappointed to learn she's been left on the cutting room floor.

Fixed it for you. :tongue:

[Heather 8]

The trailer for The Wrestler:

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[Tenbatsuzen]

Wow, I had no interest in this until I saw the trailer.

That scene with Rourke and Tomei in the bar - was that in Asbury? Looks like Asbury Park.

[Heather 8]

I think they did most of the filming in North Jersey. No mention of an Asbury Park shoot on IMDB, but it could have been left off.

I'm kinda bummed that it'll be a limited release.

However, if you squint during one wrestling scene, about 1:25 in, you can see me in my husband's gimmick shirt behind the ref.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I think they did most of the filming in North Jersey. No mention of an Asbury Park shoot on IMDB, but it could have been left off.

I'm kinda bummed that it'll be a limited release. Also bummed that the damn ref was blocking me during one scene in the trailer.

Gabe Sapolonsky conspires against you.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I think they did most of the filming in North Jersey. No mention of an Asbury Park shoot on IMDB, but it could have been left off.

I'm kinda bummed that it'll be a limited release. However, if you squint during one wrestling scene, you can see me in my husband's gimmick shirt behind the ref.

Upon re-viewing, they were at the Shore at one point - that scene with Even Rachel Wood where he's crying is def. Jersey Shore, not North Jersey.

[TheMojoPin]

Mickey Rourke is so amazing. His career is one of the great "woulda-coulda-shoulda's" in Hollywood. The list of big roles he passed on is pretty ridiculous. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Rourke_filmography#Not-starring_films)

[Tenbatsuzen]

Mickey Rourke is so amazing. His career is one of the great "woulda-coulda-shoulda's" in Hollywood. The list of big roles he passed on is pretty ridiculous. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Rourke_filmography#Not-starring_films)

Wow... Rourke as Ringo would have made a pretty goddamn good movie over-fucking ridiculously good.

[Gerald]

The trailer for The Wrestler:

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It looks good and since it was made by Aronofsky I'm sure it'll be outstanding like his other stuff but I hate it when trailers are littered with critics' blurbs raving about how good the lead performance or the movie is. If the movie or the performance really is that good these qualities should be able to shine through and speak for themselves within the presentation and arrangement of the trailer sans any text quote accompaniment.

[foodcourtdruide]

Doesn't Rourke kinda look like Latter-day Kevin Nash?

[Heather 8]

Doesn't Rourke kinda look like Latter-day Kevin Nash?

Not even close. More like an extremely ridden-hard-and-put-up-wet Jerry Lynn.

[ralphbxny]

The trailer for The Wrestler:

<embed src="http://services.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/301778988" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=2831124001&playerId=301778988&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="510" height="610" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed>

Really looking forward to this! Actually looks great!

[foodcourtdruide]

Thinking about going tonight. Anyone seen it yet?

[thepaulo]

The reviews are just getting better and better.

[foodcourtdruide]

The reviews are just getting better and better.

They are just amazing. The freakin trailor chokes me up. However, the last movie I felt this excited for was Cloverfield, so I never trust trailors/hype.

[sarsbusdriver]

Can't wait to see it.
I went to the Baker Theater in Dover, NJ for a day of filming.

[foodcourtdruide]

lol, you have got to read the comments to the "rotten" ratings on rottentomatoes, they want to KILL the reviewers. To be fair though, the bad reviews were pretty idiotic.

[Fallon]

Marisa Tomei looks great!

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9467/marisatomeithewrestlerqv1.jpg


NSFW (http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/324/33466marisatomei0000000zl5.jpg)

[foodcourtdruide]

Finally saw it, here's my review:

The wrestling scenes are absolutely incredible. Aronofsky shoots this film in a steady shaky cam and uses a lot of close-ups during in-ring scenes. You are almost uncomfortably close to the action and you hear the grunts and whispers of the participants. The style is almost cinema verite', as you sometimes think one of the wrestlers' may accidentally elbow a camera man. From a purely filmmaking point of view Aronofsky is absolutely brilliant. The suttle (and blatant) juxtaposition between Ram's (Rourke) personal life and his wrestling career play out fluidly throughout the film. This was my biggest concern going into this film, and i couldn't have been more pleased. There were points that the story could have easily derailed and taken the cheap Hollywood route but it didn't. It stayed grounded in reality by a mix of a good script, great acting and great directing.

And Rourke and Tomei are both incredible. Rourke was believable and likable as Randy "The Ram" Robinson. Surprsingly, Rourke showed his comedic chops and parts of the film were hilarious. However, parts of the film were also heartbreaking as Ram both overcame and succumbed to his personal deamons. Tomei showed why she's one of the best actresses today and I'd be surprised if she didn't get a best supporting actress nomination for her role. You can see her internal struggle, which is juxtaposed with Ram's. Tomei and Rourke bring out the best in each other.

If I had to pick a weak point of the film it would have to be Evan Rachel Wood. She over-acted in some scenes and while her character was essential, she would have looked like a fish out of water had it not been for Rourke constantly re-capturing the audience and bringing them back into the film.

I went out of my way not to compare this to Raging Bull because I always think it's pointless to compare classics that have held up for decades to new films. The Wrestler stands on its own and will hopefully re-launch Rourke's career and bring Aronofsky into more narrative driven films. Overall, this was a great film.

[TripleSkeet]

Finally saw it, here's my review:

The wrestling scenes are absolutely incredible. Aronofsky shoots this film in a steady shaky cam and uses a lot of close-ups during in-ring scenes. You are almost uncomfortably close to the action and you hear the grunts and whispers of the participants. The style is almost cinema verite', as you sometimes think one of the wrestlers' may accidentally elbow a camera man. From a purely filmmaking point of view Aronofsky is absolutely brilliant. The suttle (and blatant) juxtaposition between Ram's (Rourke) personal life and his wrestling career play out fluidly throughout the film. This was my biggest concern going into this film, and i couldn't have been more pleased. There were points that the story could have easily derailed and taken the cheap Hollywood route but it didn't. It stayed grounded in reality by a mix of a good script, great acting and great directing.

And Rourke and Tomei are both incredible. Rourke was believable and likable as Randy "The Ram" Robinson. Surprsingly, Rourke showed his comedic chops and parts of the film were hilarious. However, parts of the film were also heartbreaking as Ram both overcame and succumbed to his personal deamons. Tomei showed why she's one of the best actresses today and I'd be surprised if she didn't get a best supporting actress nomination for her role. You can see her internal struggle, which is juxtaposed with Ram's. Tomei and Rourke bring out the best in each other.

If I had to pick a weak point of the film it would have to be Evan Rachel Wood. She over-acted in some scenes and while her character was essential, she would have looked like a fish out of water had it not been for Rourke constantly re-capturing the audience and bringing them back into the film.

I went out of my way not to compare this to Raging Bull because I always think it's pointless to compare classics that have held up for decades to new films. The Wrestler stands on its own and will hopefully re-launch Rourke's career and bring Aronofsky into more narrative driven films. Overall, this was a great film.

Couldnt you just say, Thumbs Up?

[yojimbo7248]

Finally saw it, here's my review:

The wrestling scenes are absolutely incredible. Aronofsky shoots this film in a steady shaky cam and uses a lot of close-ups during in-ring scenes. You are almost uncomfortably close to the action and you hear the grunts and whispers of the participants. The style is almost cinema verite', as you sometimes think one of the wrestlers' may accidentally elbow a camera man. From a purely filmmaking point of view Aronofsky is absolutely brilliant. The suttle (and blatant) juxtaposition between Ram's (Rourke) personal life and his wrestling career play out fluidly throughout the film. This was my biggest concern going into this film, and i couldn't have been more pleased. There were points that the story could have easily derailed and taken the cheap Hollywood route but it didn't. It stayed grounded in reality by a mix of a good script, great acting and great directing.

And Rourke and Tomei are both incredible. Rourke was believable and likable as Randy "The Ram" Robinson. Surprsingly, Rourke showed his comedic chops and parts of the film were hilarious. However, parts of the film were also heartbreaking as Ram both overcame and succumbed to his personal deamons. Tomei showed why she's one of the best actresses today and I'd be surprised if she didn't get a best supporting actress nomination for her role. You can see her internal struggle, which is juxtaposed with Ram's. Tomei and Rourke bring out the best in each other.

If I had to pick a weak point of the film it would have to be Evan Rachel Wood. She over-acted in some scenes and while her character was essential, she would have looked like a fish out of water had it not been for Rourke constantly re-capturing the audience and bringing them back into the film.

I went out of my way not to compare this to Raging Bull because I always think it's pointless to compare classics that have held up for decades to new films. The Wrestler stands on its own and will hopefully re-launch Rourke's career and bring Aronofsky into more narrative driven films. Overall, this was a great film.

I appreciate the review. I can't wait to see it.

[WhistlePig]

Christ I love Aronofsky! I absolutely loved Pi and Requiem for a Dream and the bonus is this new film has my brother's band on the soundtrack. Cooler than cool.

[Manster72]

Saw the movie. got teared up , i liked earnest miller he played the part well. i didnt like the mick folley type wrestler they put in. mickey rourke and marisa were awesome the daughter was a lil over the top. definatley had an old ECW vibe to the whole wrestling parts. Paule dangerously would be proud. kinda predictable at the end though that was my only problem with the movie. other than that the only spoiler i will give out is. too much german potatoe salad is the end of it all, you wont understand the refferance till you see the movie.
:thumbup:Mickey Rourke is the Face of the Oscars guh guh guh...best this year so far

[One Dead Fred]

Fantastic film right from the start. I loved that you saw the character (Ram) for like the first 5 minutes of the film but not his face. I was hooked from the beginning.

[celery]

Saw the movie. got teared up , i liked earnest miller he played the part well. i didnt like the mick folley type wrestler they put in. mickey rourke and marisa were awesome the daughter was a lil over the top. definatley had an old ECW vibe to the whole wrestling parts. Paule dangerously would be proud. kinda predictable at the end though that was my only problem with the movie. other than that the only spoiler i will give out is. too much german potatoe salad is the end of it all, you wont understand the refferance till you see the movie.
:thumbup:Mickey Rourke is the Face of the Oscars guh guh guh...best this year so far


I found the final scene with Ram and his daughter absolutely heartbreaking. It's rare that a movie will bring me to tears like that, but this one did for some reason.


I've heard that Nicholas Cage was originally supposed to play the part of Ram Robinson, and I'm really glad they went with who they did instead. I do think Rourke will win Best Actor for this.

[A.J.]

Marisa Tomei looks great!

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9467/marisatomeithewrestlerqv1.jpg


NSFW (http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/324/33466marisatomei0000000zl5.jpg)

http://images.teamsugar.com/files/usr/0/3620/contest.jpg

[foodcourtdruide]

I found the final scene with Ram and his daughter absolutely heartbreaking. It's rare that a movie will bring me to tears like that, but this one did for some reason.


I've heard that Nicholas Cage was originally supposed to play the part of Ram Robinson, and I'm really glad they went with who they did instead. I do think Rourke will win Best Actor for this.


It was funny hearing Ron talk about the trailor the other day, becuase he got the story completely wrong. This definitely wasn't the wrestling version of Rudy. This was such a NON-HOLLYWOOD story. He struggles to get his daughter back and when she extends an olive branch, he completely fucks up and we're left in this weird unresolved state where she hates him and never wants to speak to him again. Then at the end of the film, he gets the girl back! But he chooses to go wrestle OVER her! He doesn't walk off like a knight in shining armor and play it safe. He likely goes to wrestle knowing he'll have another heart attack.

[rick9669]

Wow, I had no interest in this until I saw the trailer.

That scene with Rourke and Tomei in the bar - was that in Asbury? Looks like Asbury Park.

the bar is called frenches in roselle park, nj westfield av. right off the gsp ext. 136 good stop:drunk:

[Manster72]

you didnt see that ending coming? with his speach with first reconciliation with daughter saying he should die alone? maybe yo0ur right its not the hollywood story there is no good feeling leaving the theaters after this one. i dont thik i can ever eat Gearman potatoe salad without shedding a tear.

[Fallon]

Fantastic movie!

Mickey totally pulled off the life of a former star wrestler. Really fucking solid.

[Kublakhan61]

Christ I love Aronofsky! I absolutely loved Pi and Requiem for a Dream and the bonus is this new film has my brother's band on the soundtrack. Cooler than cool.

Did you love The Fountain?

I did. A lot.

[KnoxHarrington]

Did you love The Fountain?

I did. A lot.

I wanted to love The Fountain, but at a certain point I just had to sigh and sadly say to myself "This is just a mess."

[TjM]

Good review from The Sun


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/article2080187.ece

[PanterA]

I saw the movie last night. It was really fucking good and not just because I got to see Marissa Tomei naked in just about every scene she was in. You really feel for The Ram and how he's given so much of his body to the business. The scene where he is being discharged from the hospital and all his promoter does is leave an envelope with $250. The guy just excaped death for you and all its worth is $250, and you cant even be there when he wakes up?

Anyway, its a most see. Great movie.

[hammersavage]

I'm beginning it now from the comfort of my own bed.

[jimmyolsenblues]

i loved this movie....i cannot believe it was not nominated for best picture.....

[Kublakhan61]

It was really fucking good and not just because I got to see Marissa Tomei naked in just about every scene she was in.

"Before the Devil Knows Your Dead" opens with Tomei nude and having sex with Phil Seymour - and then later with Ethan Hawk. Just in case you didn't know! Also, a good movie...

[fezident]

FINALLY saw this movie.
I loved it. Absolutely loved it.

I hate wrestling but, to me, that's not what this movie was about. It was about relationships, and about loving yourself. (or, more to the point... hating yourself.)

I saw A LOT of myself in this film. His career, such as it is, very much reminded me of my music career. Superhot at one point in time but, was too enamored (sp?) with the lifestyle to see what it eventually became. Still cashing in on prior triumphs. Talking about the past as though it were the present. Too stubborn to know that it's time to move on.

Randy repeatedly makes the wrong choices and is too dumb to see it. That was my life for a long time. Pushing away the right people, wasting time with ALL the wrong ones.

It took some serious shit to happen to me make me realize that I needed to change. I didn't have a heart attack. I had a completely different lifethreatening ailment. But ya better believe I was alone in the hospital. No fans. No groupies. No agents. No friends. And even THEN, it took a little more "rock bottom" to make me grow up.

He DOESN'T get the girl. He loses the daughter. He chooses the lifestyle over actually having a life. It was hard to watch.

I recco this movie to anyone who's in showbiz.... or the desire to pursue a career in it.

Great great movie.

[thepaulo]

FINALLY saw this movie.
I loved it. Absolutely loved it.

I hate wrestling but, to me, that's not what this movie was about. It was about relationships, and about loving yourself. (or, more to the point... hating yourself.)

I saw A LOT of myself in this film. His career, such as it is, very much reminded me of my music career. Superhot at one point in time but, was too enamored (sp?) with the lifestyle to see what it eventually became. Still cashing in on prior triumphs. Talking about the past as though it were the present. Too stubborn to know that it's time to move on.

Randy repeatedly makes the wrong choices and is too dumb to see it. That was my life for a long time. Pushing away the right people, wasting time with ALL the wrong ones.

It took some serious shit to happen to me make me realize that I needed to change. I didn't have a heart attack. I had a completely different lifethreatening ailment. But ya better believe I was alone in the hospital. No fans. No groupies. No agents. No friends. And even THEN, it took a little more "rock bottom" to make me grow up.

He DOESN'T get the girl. He loses the daughter. He chooses the lifestyle over actually having a life. It was hard to watch.

I recco this movie to anyone who's in showbiz.... or the desire to pursue a career in it.

Great great movie.


Wow....very heartfelt.

[foodcourtdruide]

Wow....very heartfelt.

Agreed. Awesome post and so true. I mentioned it before, but I recall Ron talking about this film before he saw it, and he said he was scared this would be the typical good guy struggles to get up on top, falls down, then gets back up on top movie. The Wrestler is so unique because that is totally not the case.

Randy struggles to become mediocare, fails because of a heartattack because he wasn't taking care of himself, then loses his daughter and chooses a shell of mediocrity over the girl, who actually comes back to him.

[fezident]

People in recovery have a saying:
"The bottom is where you stop digging."

Aronofsky is keenly aware of this.


Randy never stops digging.
Neither do any of the characters in REQUIEM FOR A DREAM. The character's pain never ends. Ever.

It's what makes his movies so compelling and dramatic. There's no bottom. No light.
As a director, I think it makes him unique.

[thepaulo]

Is there any human being who we can't say that his life is ultimately a failure?
Albert Einstein is probably the greatest man of all time but his life was ultimately a failure.
What then is it like for the rest of us?

[foodcourtdruide]

People in recovery have a saying:
"The bottom is where you stop digging."

Aronofsky is keenly aware of this.


Randy never stops digging.
Neither do any of the characters in REQUIEM FOR A DREAM. The character's pain never ends. Ever.

It's what makes his movies so compelling and dramatic. There's no bottom. No light.
As a director, I think it makes him unique.

This concept is not limited to those in recovery. People never stop digging when they lose something they need.

[TheMojoPin]

Is there any human being who we can't say that his life is ultimately a failure?
Albert Einstein is probably the greatest man of all time but his life was ultimately a failure.
What then is it like for the rest of us?

Explain.

[thepaulo]

Explain.

uh oh....asked to do work...okay.

No matter how great a human being we are we must of course face our own mortality.
We will die and we can't do anything about.

2nd) most of us no matter how great we are will ultimately be dissatisfied with our relationships with other people. If we have any intelligence we will always question the "what ifs"....what if I had stayed with that person...what if I had not done that stupid thing....etc. Einstein's personal life was a bit of a muddle, for instance.

3rd) if you are not special or exceptional in any way then you have to wonder what possible signifgence or purpose you possibly have.
The Ram is holding on in pathetic futility to the only success or signigence he ever had in his life. All of us will face those moments, even Einstein or Obama.

[MacVittie]

I just saw this movie. I thought that it was really good. The story was really compelling and the lead character was likable. I don't know if it was Oscar worthy, but it wasn't full of all the typical Hollywood devices where everything works out perfect, which I liked.

[TheMojoPin]

uh oh....asked to do work...okay.

No matter how great a human being we are we must of course face our own mortality.
We will die and we can't do anything about.

2nd) most of us no matter how great we are will ultimately be dissatisfied with our relationships with other people. If we have any intelligence we will always question the "what ifs"....what if I had stayed with that person...what if I had not done that stupid thing....etc. Einstein's personal life was a bit of a muddle, for instance.

3rd) if you are not special or exceptional in any way then you have to wonder what possible signifgence or purpose you possibly have.
The Ram is holding on in pathetic futility to the only success or signigence he ever had in his life. All of us will face those moments, even Einstein or Obama.

Seems a bit of a stretch.

[CofyCrakCocaine]

maybe the point is that failure isn't such a big deal.

[Kevin]

maybe the point is that failure isn't such a big deal.



Depends on the failure.

[thepaulo]

Depends on the failure.

depends on how much you learn from your failure.

[FezsAssistant]

One of the worst scenes in movie history...near the end of the movie when Tomei leaves the strip club and runs towards her car:

"Ram!"

Why would she yell that? It's terrible.
It sounded like ESD saying 'Sam' on the Special Delivery show.

[Gvac]

depends on how much you learn from your failure.

I think it depends much more on how you define "success" and "failure."

[Reephdweller]

FINALLY saw this movie.
I loved it. Absolutely loved it.

I hate wrestling but, to me, that's not what this movie was about. It was about relationships, and about loving yourself. (or, more to the point... hating yourself.)

I saw A LOT of myself in this film. His career, such as it is, very much reminded me of my music career. Superhot at one point in time but, was too enamored (sp?) with the lifestyle to see what it eventually became. Still cashing in on prior triumphs. Talking about the past as though it were the present. Too stubborn to know that it's time to move on.

Randy repeatedly makes the wrong choices and is too dumb to see it. That was my life for a long time. Pushing away the right people, wasting time with ALL the wrong ones.

It took some serious shit to happen to me make me realize that I needed to change. I didn't have a heart attack. I had a completely different lifethreatening ailment. But ya better believe I was alone in the hospital. No fans. No groupies. No agents. No friends. And even THEN, it took a little more "rock bottom" to make me grow up.

He DOESN'T get the girl. He loses the daughter. He chooses the lifestyle over actually having a life. It was hard to watch.

I recco this movie to anyone who's in showbiz.... or the desire to pursue a career in it.

Great great movie.


Wow, very well said. I agree, I saw it recently and loved it.

[FezsAssistant]

FINALLY saw this movie.
I loved it. Absolutely loved it.

I hate wrestling but, to me, that's not what this movie was about. It was about relationships, and about loving yourself. (or, more to the point... hating yourself.)

I saw A LOT of myself in this film. His career, such as it is, very much reminded me of my music career. Superhot at one point in time but, was too enamored (sp?) with the lifestyle to see what it eventually became. Still cashing in on prior triumphs. Talking about the past as though it were the present. Too stubborn to know that it's time to move on.

Randy repeatedly makes the wrong choices and is too dumb to see it. That was my life for a long time. Pushing away the right people, wasting time with ALL the wrong ones.

It took some serious shit to happen to me make me realize that I needed to change. I didn't have a heart attack. I had a completely different lifethreatening ailment. But ya better believe I was alone in the hospital. No fans. No groupies. No agents. No friends. And even THEN, it took a little more "rock bottom" to make me grow up.

He DOESN'T get the girl. He loses the daughter. He chooses the lifestyle over actually having a life. It was hard to watch.

I recco this movie to anyone who's in showbiz.... or the desire to pursue a career in it.

Great great movie.

I'm in showbiz and I felt nothing for this movie. That's just me, though.

[disneyspy]

I'm in showbiz and I felt nothing for this movie. That's just me, though.

hows the pizza?

[KEITHJAY]

Is it the same as barfly just mickey being mickey. We walked around work years ago quoting barfly lines aahh need some fuel:drunk: Frank Stallone shined:wink:

[MHasegawa]

I'm in showbiz and I felt nothing for this movie. That's just me, though.


who do you fetch coffee for??

[hammersavage]

I'm in showbiz and I felt nothing for this movie. That's just me, though.

Who are you a fluffer for?

Anyone who says they are in 'showbiz' clearly is of no matter. You think George Clooney ever said the word showbiz?

[RoseBlood]

I think it depends much more on how you define "success" and "failure."
Hello?! Thank You! It's all perspective.

[fezident]

I'm in showbiz and I felt nothing for this movie. That's just me, though.

Interesting story. Compelling... and rich.

[Gvac]

I shall be watching The Wrestler this evening.

I'll give you my complete review tomorrow so you all can know whether you liked it or not and exactly what to think of it.

You're welcome.

[JerseyRich]

I shall be watching The Wrestler this evening.

I'll give you my complete review tomorrow so you all can know whether you liked it or not and exactly what to think of it.

You're welcome.

I have an opinion of it already...so I will save it as to not influence yours.

[Club Med]

Went in wanting to love it but it never came together for me. Rourke was great; Tomei was out of place. The scene between them in the bar when the 80's song played was amateur.

It wasn't formulaic which made it interesting. I dropped a tear or two in the scene with his daughter. I laughed at a couple of the crowd chants. That's about the best I can say.

[PatFromMoonachie]

Went in wanting to love it but it never came together for me. Rourke was great; Tomei was out of place. The scene between them in the bar when the 80's song played was amateur.

It wasn't formulaic which made it interesting. I dropped a tear or two in the scene with his daughter. I laughed at a couple of the crowd chants. That's about the best I can say.

I used to be a VJ/DJ in Metal/Rock club in the 80's (Connections in Clifton, N.J. F.Y.I.) and that scene was totally believable ...people act like retards when "their song" comes on.

Being over 40 and diabetic with no healthcare, I can relate to pushing yourself to work when you feel like shit because there's no other option ..I feel like i'm on that top rope! (great ending, BTW)

The one improbable scene for me was when those young guys in the strip club were calling Marisa Tomei an "Old lady" ..gimmie a break, she's fuckin hot on any level!

..I also didn't like the fact that he had a better trailer and a better van than me! :annoyed:


..other than that, I loved the movie! :smile:

[jimmyolsenblues]

I am still pissed this was not nominated for best picture....
I absolutely loved this movie....

[epo]

From an overall perspective I thought it was a decent film. Nothing really groundbreaking, but rather an interesting character study. The cliches did get to be a bit much after a while, but you'll have that.

From an acting perspective, I thought Mickey Rourke did a great job and obviously gave the role everything he had. The nomination was definitely in order.

[AnnoyedGrunt]

I finally saw it and quite liked it, but this is another case where the trailers hurt it. I pretty much knew how things would play out.

However, i have a question for the wrestling fans. At the end they have the final match at a Ring of Honor show but the match was a better version of Sgt. Slaughter vs The Iron Shiek. Wouldn't the RoH fans shit all over an 80's nostalgia match?

[Pestz4Evah]

Thought this was funny:

The guy who sold Mickey Rourke steroids in "The Wrestler" was just, you guessed it, arrested for allegedly selling steroids... and we just got his mugshot. (http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/19/roidy-roidhead-from-wrestler-busted-for-roids/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tmz.com/media/2009/02/0219_scott_siegel_mug_exm_wm.jpg

[Philip]

Mickey Rourke was great, and the story was solid. Wish he would have won the Oscar, didn't see Milk though so I can't say he was robbed. I'm sure he wasn't, but still would have been cool if he won it.

[Gvac]

My Reader's Digest review -

Did Mickey Rourke deserve a Best Actor nomination? Absolutely.

Did the movie deserve a Best Picture nom? Fuck no.

The story was as predictable as it gets.

[Contra]

I really enjoyed the movie, and I thought the ending was perfect. In the mens room after the movie I overheard someone say "it was a good movie, but I wish they told you if he lives or dies at the end". It took a lot to not punch him in the throat.

And I've had a crush on marisa tomei since Untamed Hearts. This movie made me fall in love with her all over again, and seeing almost every inch of her naked body was amazing.

[fezident]

I really enjoyed the movie, and I thought the ending was perfect. In the mens room after the movie I overheard someone say "it was a good movie, but I wish they told you if he lives or dies at the end".

I too am bothered by people who don't "get" the ending to this movie.
Of course he dies. Maybe not at that exact moment in the ring... but it's implied that he'll live this pathetic lifestyle until it kills him because that's what he wants. And he will die alone because THAT'S what he wants. So... yes, he dies.
He doesn't end up with Marisa. He'll never fully repair his relationship with his daughter. He'll never have a comeback. That's the story that Arronofsky elected to tell...a story of loss & pain.

I suspect that people who disliked this movie are the reason "Meet The Spartans", "White Chicks", and "Paul Blart" go straight to number one.

[Heather 8]

I really enjoyed the movie, and I thought the ending was perfect. In the mens room after the movie I overheard someone say "it was a good movie, but I wish they told you if he lives or dies at the end". It took a lot to not punch him in the throat.


He's probably hoping for a sequel as well. :wallbash: