Review of The Wrestler (2008) by Derek D — 26 Aug 2012

A comeback story of sorts about a down-and-out professional wrestler years past his prime who is friends with a stripper years past hers, apparently. After suffering a heart attack a hardcore match with Necro Butcher, Randy has no choice but to retire.

So, like 90% of the guys in the business his life turns to shit after he leaves pretty much the only thing he's ever known. He reconnects with his daughter and tries to start a relationship with Cassidy, the stripper, but ends up losing both.

So, he turns back to wrestling again, which almost proves to be a fatal mistake. With this film and story, the wrestling part of it is secondary. It's a story about how far a guy has fallen who still gets by based on what he knows and is forced to make a decision that changes his life.

In the end, he decides to do what he loves - no matter the cost. Excellent acting all-around, but especially by Rourke, who almost won an Oscar for this. He should have, certainly. It was called a comeback, but really it isn't as Rourke has still been doing films for the past several years, just not as high profile as what they were back in the 80's.

Sound familiar? The movie is basically about him.