Review of Beyond the Mat (1999) by Lesley N — 31 Dec 2009

First review for 2010 and I have to write this review right now despite having it almost impossible to keep myself awake. Why? Because I felt obliged. I felt obliged to myself, to this film, to wrestling. I see all my friends in Flixster, with few exceptions, rating this film as "NOT INTERESTED" and I can't understand the reason. I for one, to quote the director, have always loved wrestling. I don't know why. I just always have. Despite abandoning it, due to peer pressure mostly, in 2009 I rekindled my relationship with wrestling and it is now stronger than ever. But back to my Flixster friends. I don't know the reasons and I don't want to pass judgement but I think that if you watched this movie you would reconsider, having seen the real face of wrestling.

To the film itself now. This documentary comprises of three main parts, each focusing on one wrestler, and also takes a general thorough look into the industry. What is great about it that it shows the real nature of the bastardly opera that is wrestling. And that is simply the nature of every other show bussiness enterprise. Behind the glamour we have simple people that have to work their asses off to earn a works pay and live their dream. They are nothing like their personas and they are not sadistic bastards. They 're just hungry for the spotlight. The most interesting thing is to observe the impact that wrestling had on their lives unlike other jobs would. Because even if wrestling is scripted, let me tell you that the people and their bodies participating in wrestling are very real.

It is absolutely heartbreaking to watch Mick Foley's kids faces when their dad gets hit repeatedly hit by a chair on the head while being handcuffed. If you ask him he 'll say that he feels guilt about having to put his loved ones through this but he also feels that he needs to give the audience its moneys worth. He needs to do that as much a doctor needs to operate. One may ask, "Why do wrestlers have to continue beating each for a living like that, knowing the hell they 'll come through?" Another wrestling legend interviewed for the film, Terry Funk, has the answer. "It's fun." This is coming from a man that will probably spend the rest of his life in pain because of injuries to his legs. But he still goes on. You just can't watch this and be left unmoved. I won't even extend on the life of the third wrestler this movie focuses on. Jake "The Snake" Roberts I portrayed in such a raw and bare way that you just wonder how this person has the guts to continue living. I guess wrestling is his life support.

From a technical standpoint this documentary does a pretty good job. While not a slick Discovery looking documentary. It is very gritty and has a home made quality to it that matches the nature of the subject at hand.

In conclussion whether a fan of wrestling or not this is a must see movie and documentary. It captures the essence of its subject, it is informative moving and will probably make you contemplate on certain aspects of entertainment and showbussines today while also giving you some great life stories.