I am sure that DC will weigh in on this movie with a review soon but I wanted to get mine up asap after seeing this gem of a movie.
First up I have to let you know I am a wrestling fan. Been a fan for years and am always in awe of the amazing feats that these athletes do. I also am always never shocked when I hear the tragedy that so many of these athletes end up suffering as they grow old. It is a sport with no union. It is a sport where you have to take unbelievable risks in order to get noticed and succeed. It is a sport where so few make it to the top.
The above reasons are what makes the subject matter covered in this movie so compelling before you see the movie. You go into it hoping that Aranovsky and Rourke can do the subject matter justice. What you get is simply...blown away.
I was expecting a good movie but I was not expecting the emotional ride that I was taken on with this movie. Mickey Rourke is in one word...AMAZING. I mean seriously the guy becomes Randy the Ram. You believe Randy the Ram exists. As a fan I was wanting to find some old tapes to watch some of his matches.
The story is about Randy the Ram the wrestler who was big in the late 80's. He has the long dyed blonde hair, the tights, and the legendary status of someone who has been to the top but is now nowhere near it. Randy is doing small time weekend independent shows for cash and can't afford his rent. He is performing to small halls with folding chair seats and half filled audiences and he is the veteran guy that still sacrifices his body like he is at Madison Square Garden. We know that his biggest fame came around 1988 and we don't know what he did to lose his big time status but as a viewer we know we like him. And that is one of the keys of this movie. You like Randy the Ram. He is a people person. Don't get me wrong he is incredibly flawed and there is no doubt in your mind that he is so self destructive he will never get the happy ending that you can't tell if he wants or not.
Randy works at a grocery store part time and then wrestles on the weekend. He really has no friends that we learn of. Only people that know him as the wrestler.
He does feel something for a stripper at a local club. She is Cassidy and she is played incredibly by Marisa Tomei. She shines. I mean SHINES in this role. You talk about letting it all hang out and like Rourke she is entirely believable as the aging stripper who knows there isnt much left for her to do in the career she has chosen except get fired.
The parallels between cassidy and Randy are really a credit to Darren Aranovskys script. Written like youre watching a documentary and filmed much like a low budget documentary that is more likely to wind up on the internet instead of the theater.
Randy has a heart attack and has to come to the conclusion that he can no longer do what he loves. He also comes to the conclusion that it is time for him to mend fences he broke years ago. That is where his daughter comes into play. Evan Rachel Wood is good but predictable as his daughter.
The movie is a helluva ride. You feel for Randy the Ram, you want so much for him to find happiness. You want him to find love. You want him to get that happy ending. Its just as I said earlier youre not sure he wants one.
The movie is fantastic and I give it 4 and a 1/2 out of 5. No doubt in my mind Mickey Rourke and Marissa Tomei should get Oscars and I am shocked it isnt up for Best Movie. Rourkes Performance will stand up for years as one of the best of this decade.
RAY'S RECCOMENDATION... GO SEE THIS MOVIE
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