The Wrestler

"The Wrestler" is the top movie of 2008. Hell, it might even be in my top 10 of all time... it's that good.  This films tops all the rest by leaps and bounds, topping right above "Burn After Reading For Me". And for those "Dark Knight" groupies, I think that film is average and that "Iron Man" is the better superhero movie. Lets get to the "Wrestler" movie.

The movie has some similarities to "Rocky" and a story similar to "Rocky Balboa", just take out many of the feel good moments. This film is gritty and real. Even the picture is drained and far from vibrate... it kind of feels like watching a movie on VHS. The pacing is a throwback to classic films of the 70's, and isn't coked up like today's standards. The film is sad, but there are some really funny comedic moments. The comedy is similar to that that Rocky provides. Most of the comedy is the fact that Mickey Rourke is out of touch with today's society and the whole ridiculousness of the professional wrestling industry. But the comedic relief is necessary, because you don't want a film that takes itself too serious. I was laughing out loud really hard at some points. The cinematography is amazing, utilizing handheld work to give it a more authentic feel. The camera tends to follow behind Mickey Rourke a lot, putting us more in his shoes and adding more impact to the close-ups of beaten face.

Now I read some negative reviews to see what people could possibly not like about this film. The main problem they have is that the film is too realistic, and doesn't pull no punches or cut the camera away. When Rourke is getting staples pulled out of his back, you will see it in all its gory detail. Just like real life, you have to deal with it....the camera doesn't cut away last second for your benefit, just like life often times does not do things for your benefit. This film also might have one of the goriest scenes I have ever seen.... Not to give it away, but it takes place while Rourke is working in a deli. They also say the nudity from Marisa Tomei is excessive. She's a stripper. They tend to be naked a lot.

To find faults in this film one really has to nitpick. I honestly can't think of anything wrong with it. Mick Foley, a professional wrestler, wrote a review of it, and he said it was a perfect rendition of the wrestling world after the glory. I recommend to this movie to anyone, and then I recommend you go out and rent the documentary, "Beyond The Mat". A lot of Mickey Rourke's character comes from the Jake "The Snake" segments in that film. Go out and see this one now.