Mickey Rourke, playing Randy “The Ram” Robinson, delivered a stellar performance as a wrestler well beyond his peak.
Rourke, who was once touted an actor with tons of potential, lived a life that, until just recently, led him far from the spotlight.
After an arrest for spousal abuse in the mid 1990s, Rourke made the decision to enter professional boxing, something he loved even before his acting days. By doing this he took himself out of the running as an actor, claiming it as a way to keep from self-destructing.
Though it did give him the chance to fight in countries like Spain, Japan, and Germany, Rourke’s boxing career left him with many injuries. A broken nose, split tongue, and compressed cheekbone, as well as reconstructive surgery, are to blame for the evident changes in his physical appearance.
Though Rourke did have some success in the ring (an undefeated eight fights) he was told by boxing promoters that he was too old to succeed. While entering the ring had been a personal test, Rourke decided to bow out and return to acting.
Though he has remained a Jobber over the years (which, as explained by my sports fanatic husband, is a wrestler required to lose to an opponent) Rourke recently reemerged with his resurrection performance in The Wrestler.
Randy “The Ram”, as he is known by his fans, is a wrestler who was at the top of his form in the 1980s. Though he is still physically fit, his body relies heavily on painkillers and he wears a hearing aid in his left ear.
While his career is nearing a complete collapse, Randy is unable to let go of his past, and continues to fight in small-town venues. Although he needs the money to pay for his trailer and basic living expenses, it is evident that he does not want to shut the door on what he feels defines his entire life.
While Randy is still able to feed his need to fight, the viewers see the struggles he faces each time he steps into the ring, and the surmounting mess that is his personal life.
Aside from a surface friendship with his regular stripper named Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), Randy is alone in the world. Though he has a daughter from a previous relationship, he has had no contact with her for many years.
The Wrestler, created to be gritty, dirty, and uncomfortable to watch at times, is a film that depicts Randy’s fall from fame, and the very real struggles that wrestler’s must face at the end of their career.
Between bloody fight scenes and heart wrenching personal battles, Rourke really allows the viewers to feel for Randy. It is as if he actually knew the pain “The Ram” was going through, and could relay this through the screen.
Through the battles of failing health, and a crumbling life outside of wrestling, Rourke pulls Randy “The Ram” from the screenplay page and makes him a real person.
While the film doesn’t have amazing special effects it does have the power to evoke strong emotions. It had me in tears long after the credits rolled.
Watch the Preview Here
I give The Wrestler 5/5 Light Bulbs.
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