Pro-Wrestling 101: In professional wrestling, a "face" is a character who is portrayed as heroic relative to the "heel" wrestlers (villains). Not everything a face wrestler does must be heroic: faces need only to be cheered by the audience to be effective characters. The vast majority of wrestling storylines place a heel against a face. [Wikipedia]
THE WRESTLER
It's amazing how art can imitate reality and vice-versa, as in this case where an actor mars his body & voice in the pursuit of sport while inadvertently preparing himself for Oscar candidacy ... go figure!
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Cast ... Lead characters:
Mickey Rourke ... Randy 'The Ram' Robinson ("The Face"/aka 'Robin')
Marisa Tomei ... Cassidy (Cheeques dancer & mom)
3-1/4 stars (out of 4 / higher rating for guyflickers & WrestleMania-cs)
[(2008)USA/FoxSearchlight/Rated R] - (1 hr 49 min)
Review:
"I forgot how much fun this was." -Ayatollah
What the movie "Rocky" did for boxing, Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" is poised to do for professional wrestling (if not more if it's hit), as actor Mickey Rourke ("Sin City") essays the role of a lifetime playing down-and-out and rapidly fading champion 'Randy the Ram' (much like Sylvester Stallone did as 'The Italian Stallion').
And while it's a foregone conclusion that Rourke's amazing personal story along with his acting will earn him his first ever Academy Award nomination, he's still not a shoo-in to win the prize. Unlike his wrestling persona, being "the face" doesn't automatically get him the Oscar statue or the chance to put that battered visage on a billion TV screens in February.
Which brings up an interesting point about pro-wrestling in general (see definition at top), how does it feel to be the FACE, the guy that "knows" he's going to win every wrestling match he competes in? Kind of like the actors who show up for the People's Choice awards knowing they've already won, there's really no spirit of competition.
But somehow pro-wrestlers DO embrace the machismo, showmanship, and comraderie to the point that many fans actually "believe" (oh yes they do) they're watching a true competition. And the farther past your prime you are, the more the showmanship and the love of the fans comes into play.
That's where this movie starts. With a worn-out, former wrestling champ (Mickey Rourke) and an aging stripper (Marisa Tomei, who still looks fabulous at age 44 and counting).
In theory, Rourke has been working on the 'Randy' character since 1991, when he tried pro boxing and ended up severely scarring his face. The bleaching of the hair, the tanning bed-bronze skin, and the muscular physique all contribute to a convincing portrayal of a "pro champion" on the outside while the excellently detailed screenplay reveals a hollowed out loser on the inside.
Director Ingmar Bergman always said that "God is Details," and the minutiae of Randy's white-trash lifestyle are perfectly captured throughout the film, from his "rented" house trailer to his nudie posters on the bathroom wall. There's also Randy's outdated hearing device, grandma-style reading glasses, and multiple medications & steroids to keep him alive 'n' kicking.
Best of all is when the film shifts miraculously from desperate trailer-guy to King of Wrestling (2nd/3rd tier venues) as Randy counsels younger wrestlers on the way up and then gets to 'rock the arena' (aka 'VFW Hall') to the tune "Metal Health" by Quiet Riot.
This is a blast for 'guyflickers' though my New Jersey pals were not happy with the depiction of life on the trailer trash circuit (wonder what they think of MTV's The Jersey Shore' now if they couldn't handle this movie then?).
I still say CHECK THIS OUT!!!
"Just bring the cheap heat, bro." -Randy
Cast ... Supporting characters:
Evan Rachel Wood ... Stephanie Robinson (Randy's daughter)
Ernest Miller ... The Ayatollah ("The Heel"/Randy's longtime opponent)
Mark Margolis ... Lenny (The promoter)
Todd Barry ... Wayne (Randy's boss @ the warehouse)
Wass Stevens ... Nick Volpe
Judah Friedlander ... Scott Brumberg
Cameos:
Abraham Aronofsky (Dir.'s father) ... Annoyed Man at Deli Counter
Charlotte Aronofsky (Dir.'s mother) ... Annoyed Woman at Deli Counter
Main crew:
Screenplay Robert D. Siegel
Original Music by Clint Mansell
Cinematography by Maryse Alberti
Soundtrack info (80's rock, dudes):
"Metal Health" [1983] - Performed by Quiet Riot (Randy the Ram's theme song)
"Balls to the Wall" [1984] - Performed by Accept
"Round and Round" - Performed by Ratt (w/ add. vocals by Marisa Tomei & Mickey Rourke)
"Sweet Child o' Mine" [1987] - Performed by Guns 'n' Roses
"Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone) - Performed by Cinderella
"I'm Insane" - Performed by Rat Attack (former members of Ratt)
Featured Wrestlers:
Dylan Summers ... Necro Butcher
Tommy Farra ... Tommy Rotten
Mike Miller ... Lex Lethal
Johnny Valiant ... The Legend Johnny Valiant (Legends scene)
Ron Killings ... Ron 'The Truth' Killings (Legends scene)
Other Wrestlers and Ring officials:
Andrew Anderson, Austin Aries, Blue Meanie, Nicky Benz, Brolly, Lamar Braxton Porter, Claudio Castagnoli, Cobian, Doc Daniels, Bobby Dempsey, Billy Dream, Whacks, Rob Eckos, Nate Hatred, Havoc, DJ Hyde, Inferno, Joker, Judas, Kid U.S.A., LA Smooth, Toa Maivia, Kevin Matthews, Devon Moore, Pete Nixon, Paul E. Normous, Papadon, Sabian, Jay Santana, Sugga, Robert Oppel, & Larry Sweeney
Maven Bentley ... WXW Announcer
Douglas Crosby ... WXW Referee
Larry Legend ... CZW Announcer
Nick Papagiorgio ... CZW Referee
Kevin Foote ... ROH Announcer
Jon Trosky ... ROH Referee
Robert Rosen ... Ring Announcer (voice only)
"Here's what I'm thinking, two Words: RE - MATCH." -Lenny
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The winners were unveiled at Film Independent’s Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009.
-----------------------------------------
The 2009 Spirit Award results are:
FEATURE (Award given to the producer)
"The Wrestler" - WINNER!!!
Producers: Darren Aronofsky, Scott Franklin
MALE LEAD
Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler" - WINNER!!!
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Maryse Alberti, "The Wrestler" - WINNER!!!
Totals:
"The Wrestler" - 3 noms/3 WINS
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THE WRESTLER
It's amazing how art can imitate reality and vice-versa, as in this case where an actor mars his body & voice in the pursuit of sport while inadvertently preparing himself for Oscar candidacy ... go figure!
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Cast ... Lead characters:
Mickey Rourke ... Randy 'The Ram' Robinson ("The Face"/aka 'Robin')
Marisa Tomei ... Cassidy (Cheeques dancer & mom)
3-1/4 stars (out of 4 / higher rating for guyflickers & WrestleMania-cs)
[(2008)USA/FoxSearchlight/Rated R] - (1 hr 49 min)
Review:
"I forgot how much fun this was." -Ayatollah
What the movie "Rocky" did for boxing, Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" is poised to do for professional wrestling (if not more if it's hit), as actor Mickey Rourke ("Sin City") essays the role of a lifetime playing down-and-out and rapidly fading champion 'Randy the Ram' (much like Sylvester Stallone did as 'The Italian Stallion').
And while it's a foregone conclusion that Rourke's amazing personal story along with his acting will earn him his first ever Academy Award nomination, he's still not a shoo-in to win the prize. Unlike his wrestling persona, being "the face" doesn't automatically get him the Oscar statue or the chance to put that battered visage on a billion TV screens in February.
Which brings up an interesting point about pro-wrestling in general (see definition at top), how does it feel to be the FACE, the guy that "knows" he's going to win every wrestling match he competes in? Kind of like the actors who show up for the People's Choice awards knowing they've already won, there's really no spirit of competition.
But somehow pro-wrestlers DO embrace the machismo, showmanship, and comraderie to the point that many fans actually "believe" (oh yes they do) they're watching a true competition. And the farther past your prime you are, the more the showmanship and the love of the fans comes into play.
That's where this movie starts. With a worn-out, former wrestling champ (Mickey Rourke) and an aging stripper (Marisa Tomei, who still looks fabulous at age 44 and counting).
In theory, Rourke has been working on the 'Randy' character since 1991, when he tried pro boxing and ended up severely scarring his face. The bleaching of the hair, the tanning bed-bronze skin, and the muscular physique all contribute to a convincing portrayal of a "pro champion" on the outside while the excellently detailed screenplay reveals a hollowed out loser on the inside.
Director Ingmar Bergman always said that "God is Details," and the minutiae of Randy's white-trash lifestyle are perfectly captured throughout the film, from his "rented" house trailer to his nudie posters on the bathroom wall. There's also Randy's outdated hearing device, grandma-style reading glasses, and multiple medications & steroids to keep him alive 'n' kicking.
Best of all is when the film shifts miraculously from desperate trailer-guy to King of Wrestling (2nd/3rd tier venues) as Randy counsels younger wrestlers on the way up and then gets to 'rock the arena' (aka 'VFW Hall') to the tune "Metal Health" by Quiet Riot.
This is a blast for 'guyflickers' though my New Jersey pals were not happy with the depiction of life on the trailer trash circuit (wonder what they think of MTV's The Jersey Shore' now if they couldn't handle this movie then?).
I still say CHECK THIS OUT!!!
"Just bring the cheap heat, bro." -Randy
Cast ... Supporting characters:
Evan Rachel Wood ... Stephanie Robinson (Randy's daughter)
Ernest Miller ... The Ayatollah ("The Heel"/Randy's longtime opponent)
Mark Margolis ... Lenny (The promoter)
Todd Barry ... Wayne (Randy's boss @ the warehouse)
Wass Stevens ... Nick Volpe
Judah Friedlander ... Scott Brumberg
Cameos:
Abraham Aronofsky (Dir.'s father) ... Annoyed Man at Deli Counter
Charlotte Aronofsky (Dir.'s mother) ... Annoyed Woman at Deli Counter
Main crew:
Screenplay Robert D. Siegel
Original Music by Clint Mansell
Cinematography by Maryse Alberti
Soundtrack info (80's rock, dudes):
"Metal Health" [1983] - Performed by Quiet Riot (Randy the Ram's theme song)
"Balls to the Wall" [1984] - Performed by Accept
"Round and Round" - Performed by Ratt (w/ add. vocals by Marisa Tomei & Mickey Rourke)
"Sweet Child o' Mine" [1987] - Performed by Guns 'n' Roses
"Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone) - Performed by Cinderella
"I'm Insane" - Performed by Rat Attack (former members of Ratt)
Featured Wrestlers:
Dylan Summers ... Necro Butcher
Tommy Farra ... Tommy Rotten
Mike Miller ... Lex Lethal
Johnny Valiant ... The Legend Johnny Valiant (Legends scene)
Ron Killings ... Ron 'The Truth' Killings (Legends scene)
Other Wrestlers and Ring officials:
Andrew Anderson, Austin Aries, Blue Meanie, Nicky Benz, Brolly, Lamar Braxton Porter, Claudio Castagnoli, Cobian, Doc Daniels, Bobby Dempsey, Billy Dream, Whacks, Rob Eckos, Nate Hatred, Havoc, DJ Hyde, Inferno, Joker, Judas, Kid U.S.A., LA Smooth, Toa Maivia, Kevin Matthews, Devon Moore, Pete Nixon, Paul E. Normous, Papadon, Sabian, Jay Santana, Sugga, Robert Oppel, & Larry Sweeney
Maven Bentley ... WXW Announcer
Douglas Crosby ... WXW Referee
Larry Legend ... CZW Announcer
Nick Papagiorgio ... CZW Referee
Kevin Foote ... ROH Announcer
Jon Trosky ... ROH Referee
Robert Rosen ... Ring Announcer (voice only)
"Here's what I'm thinking, two Words: RE - MATCH." -Lenny
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The winners were unveiled at Film Independent’s Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009.
-----------------------------------------
The 2009 Spirit Award results are:
FEATURE (Award given to the producer)
"The Wrestler" - WINNER!!!
Producers: Darren Aronofsky, Scott Franklin
MALE LEAD
Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler" - WINNER!!!
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Maryse Alberti, "The Wrestler" - WINNER!!!
Totals:
"The Wrestler" - 3 noms/3 WINS
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++