The Wrestler (2008)

I went to see "The Wrestler" last night and was very impressed with the film. I haven't seen an Aronofsky film since my utter disappointment in "Requiem for a Dream, "which followed one of my favorite films, "Pi." I must say I was a little hesitant to go see this film, but the overall subject matter won me over. Growing up as a child near Charlotte, NC you can't deny your wrestling roots and the years of curling up on the couch in your good clothes after a midday sermon to watch some male on male brutality.
Aronofsky's direction is superb in this film and he doesn't rely on gimmicky edits as he does in some of his previous films. One particular scene, which I found very creative, was when Rourke (The Ram) had dressed for his new job in the deli and was making his way to the counter. The camera follows him down the hallways and through a maze of butchering equipment into the depths of what is his own personal hell. There is moment where his silhouette stops just in front of a shredded, industrial plastic curtain and you begin to hear the faint wresting announcement in the background just as he breaks through...a mimicry of his former life. I also thought the wresting choreography was well done, just the right amount of imperfections to make it seem "real."
Rourke's performance was by far the best acting I have seen all year and I will definitely be "in his corner" on Oscar night. I don't know that I would call it type casting, but Rourke's demeanor and physical appearance certainly parallels the years of self-inflicted abuse portrayed by his character. I can only assume that some of the script was improvised, but to me, that's where Rourke stole the show. The scenes with him behind the deli counter and in the dollar store are especially great and keep the film lighthearted and from turning too grim. Even though it's evident that Rourke is having fun with his role, he never steps out of character while improving and it really makes for some creative and endearing scenes. The more serious scenes are touching and well done and the even the wrestling is spot on. Rourke truly runs through an acting gauntlet and comes out the other side triumphant.
Rourke's love interest, Marisa Tomei (who plays the stripper, Cassidy) was stellar in the film and it's nice to see her in another career-resurrecting film following "When the Devil Knows You're Dead." I was initially put off at first by the amount of nudity in the film in terms of it's necessity (since sometimes it makes me feel uneasy for the actress and can sometimes break my suspension of disbelief), but I can sincerely say that Aronofsky’s portrayal of that seedy slice of society is dead on accurate and that Cassidy's meetings with Ram outside of that environment are more powerful and realistic as a result of this decision.
Though "The Wrester" was a very sincere and often humorous film, I found that the film's plot was a bit generic and ultimately, fairly predictable--the terminally ill father who has never been there, the reluctant reconciliation, and the tragic denouement (not really a spoiler, the trailer details it all). However, after some careful consideration, I think the film separates itself from others based on its ability to portray such a difficult and often belittled subject matter and it stands tall on its own merits (acting, editing, and directing).

4 out of 4