The Wrestler

[Velorath]

Before Darren Aronofsky takes on the job of remaking Robocop, his most recent work is this film with Mickey Rourke as an aging wrestler trying to make a comeback.  Might sound like odd subject matter for Aronofsky to tackle (although maybe not as odd as him doing a Robocop movie), but watch the trailer.  He and Rourke seem to have created something here that feels more... human I guess is the only way I can put it, than pretty much any movie I've seen recently.

Trailer here.

[MrHat]

Doesn't Tomei set us up her boobs?

[HaemishM]

That looks suprisingly good.

[Nebu]

That looks suprisingly good.

Yes.  Nice to see Mickey Rourke again.  I've always respected the intensity he brings to the screen.

[schild]

What a fucking great movie. Se it. Gooooooooooo seeeeeeee it.

In fact double up on this and Frost/Nixon.

[shiznitz]

Doesn't Tomei set us up her boobs?

Again? Or are you confusing movies?

[fuser]

What a fucking great movie. Se it. Gooooooooooo seeeeeeee it.

I cannot wait to get a chance to see this film. Great fan of Darren Aronofsky and this review makes me want to see it more.
(Spoilers all over the review)

"I was hooked within a minute. Within five, I had completely forgotten I was looking at Mickey Rourke. That guy on the screen simply was Randy "the Ram" Robinson, a '80s mat icon on a two-decade-long losing streak in the game of life, searching for a way, any way, to fan the dying embers of his career." -Mick Foley

[stray]

Been wanting to catch this with my old man, but this shithole of a town only has one cinema playing it and it's out of the way... But I probably will go out of my way to see it. In my opinion, Rourke, even despite laughable shit like "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man" is one of the most talented actors who ever lived.

[Velorath]

Been wanting to catch this with my old man, but this shithole of a town only has one cinema playing it and it's out of the way

It's still in pretty limited release right now, but will be expanding over the next few weeks.

[Hoax]

Doesn't Tomei set us up her boobs?

Pierced and many times, yes.

[Azazel]

Thanks for the thread. I'll keep an eye out for this one...

[stray]

I don't know a lot about wrestlers (outside of one Hitman documentary I saw once), so I can't say how accurate it was.. I know some skateboarders who kind of remind me of him though. Mickey Rourke will still get to you though, whether you know or care about wrestling or not. Everyone knows a down-and-outer like this, or might feel that way themselves sometimes. I'm not going to presume I know about all of the "Oscar contender" movies, but this one seems like the one relevant to most people. And as for strippers, Tomei was surprisingly good in this.

[edit]

Oh and this movie makes use of the NES as a poignant storytelling device. Heh

[ahoythematey]

Did the double feature today.  Slumdog Millionaire left me feeling elated, and The Wrestler brought me right back down.  What a touching, sad, depressingly tragic movie.

Both are great.

[chargerrich]

I have heard so many great things about this movie. Trying to convince the wife to go see it with me. I have explained to her that the "wrestling" is just the undercurrent, in the same way that Boxing was the undercurrent of million dollar baby.

[ashrik]

Just saw it last night, amazing film. It was just so human and strong and sad. I don't think anyone made a peep or even so much as blinked their eyes in the last few minutes of the movie.

[schild]

I have heard so many great things about this movie. Trying to convince the wife to go see it with me. I have explained to her that the "wrestling" is just the undercurrent, in the same way that Boxing was the undercurrent of million dollar baby.

Yes, but Million Dollar Baby was pitiable preachy hollywood trash while The Wrestler is beyond art.

[stray]

What was preachy about Million Dollar Baby? Serious question... not sure what you're talking about.

[schild]

What was preachy about Million Dollar Baby? Serious question... not sure what you're talking about.

Intangible, some friends thought the same thing, some friends didn't. Just felt preachy to me. It was obvious and hit you over the head with the story, the Morgan Freeman narration just didn't do it for me (somehow, sometimes I'll watch a movie JUST for that), whereas the Wrestler was a fucking amazing slice of life story.

There's nothing wrong with Million Dollar Baby per se, it's simply one of those Not For Me things. Unlike, for example and to crossreference a thread, Dollhouse, which I should like based on what it's trying to be, and yet it looks like unwatchable shit.

[stray]

Fair enough. I liked both, but Wrestler is definitely better. When you say slice of life, it really did feel like a documentary, like something I'd see on A&E.. but without interviews or narration.

[Amarr HM]

Mickey Rourke is so fucking good in this film it's kind of sad in a way he spent so long out in the cold as an actor.

Seriously though watch this at some stage.

[Viin]

I thought it was OK but nothing amazing. Good story, good characters - good rental, as long as you aren't looking for an upper.

[Amarr HM]

This is not a feelgood movie, it's a good movie.

[Viin]

Isn't that what I said?

[Amarr HM]

Isn't that what I said?

Yeh for sure just clarifying it in case people expected Rocky, oh and hey I did a search for this thread and it didn't come up.

[Amarr HM]

Also I can't fathom anyone not enjoying this film, this is how good I think it is. I would put Micky Rourke's performance up there with Brando in on the Waterfront or Newman in Cool Hand Luke.

[Xuri]

Watched this movie a couple of days ago myself, and I agree with everything said in this thread so far.

[shiznitz]

It is hilarious how now that Marisa Tomei is hurting for work, she is willing to throws her boobs around willy nilly. She looks good, though.

This movie was really good. I am so happy the ending wasn't Hollywood-ized.

[Amarr HM]

She's always been willing to get her baps out though that's nothing new. Didn't she get them out in Anger Management?

[stray]

No, she was never one for nudity. Anyhow, almost all actresses hurt after they're 40.. But she's always been pretty good. Sucks what some even better actresses end up doing sometimes.. One of my favorite actresses is Jennifer Jason Leigh, and the last thing I saw her in was some very minor, very plain doctor role in an Adrien Brody movie. It's hard to graduate to high paid MILF status, I guess.

[Mattemeo]

What was preachy about Million Dollar Baby? Serious question... not sure what you're talking about.

Screw preachy, it's fucking Beaches for men.

The Wrestler was one of the finest character preformances I've ever had the pleasure to watch. Rourke made you believe in and fall for this half-wit loser that eveyone else in their right mind would cross the street to avoid. Instilled in Randy so much pathos and last-hope passion that even though you knew in your heart that he was a fuck up and would only ever be a fuck up, you saw things from his perspective and were happy to be by his side for a couple of hours, feeling every bruise his aching body and soul receives along the way.

[stray]

Well I definitely agree with all of that. Except the Beaches part. C'mon, Eastwood directed it. Maybe it was the closest he's come to Beaches, but he couldn't really do Beaches if he tried. Hrm.. well at least I thought it pretty good. Nuff said.

Not as good as the Wrestler though. If I came across as saying anything else, I never wanted to.

[Sand]

Horrible horrible movie.

I dont mind some "serious" art house style movie getting made to simply show off the participating actors talent as obvious Oscar bait, but for God's sake for those of us who arent voting members of the academy at least make it entertaining or put out a public warning not to watch it .


I dont need to see that depressing shit. I want to be entertained at the movies. It was like watching a documentary on white trash people and drug abuse.


Edit: Sorry, didnt see it in the first three pages, should have used search. Didnt realize the movie was that old.

[schild]

Even in the right thread, you're still an idiot. Funny how that works out.

[Sand]

I know its amazing. 

[Musashi]

Here I leave evidence of my ability to self-edit.