Aronofsky's Black Swan explored the world of the 'high arts' and as such it is a perfect companion piece to The Wrestler, a masterful depiction of dedication and self destruction in the realm of the 'low arts'.

Carried by a performance of a lifetime, this film is a heartbreaking slice of gritty realism. Aronofsky lays bare a world of cheap gladiatorial entertainment, where its fighters combat, not for the glory, but because they have to. They are compelled by their own addiction to the ring.

The Ram is no exception. He sacrificed just about anything in his life for the one thing he excels at. His body is a wreck as are just about all his relationships. When the inevitable…

I remember when this film was initially released, it got my interest because it was about wrestling, and back then I would still consider watching WWE as one of my guilty pleasures. I had no idea that I was about to watch something that would leave me quite so amazed. Five years on and The Wrestler still brings out the same feelings and emotions in me as it did before. It manages to be both uplifting and heartbreaking, joyous and devastating, funny and brutal, and basically just downright superb.

Giving Mickey Rourke the role of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson has to go down as one of the best casting decisions ever. The similarities of The Ram's career to Rourke's are…

"Top 100 of all time Selection"
"Top 50 Films of the 2000's Selection"
"Top 10 Films 2008 Selection"

"I'm an old broken down piece of meat... and I'm alone. And I deserve to be all alone."

The Wrestler found a way to be uplifting, redeeming and flat out depressing all in one single film.

Mr. Aronofsky enjoys creating compelling stories around very heavy themes, that by itself is nothing new. What makes Darren jump out from the rest is that he doesn't use one theme, but two or three of this themes in one single film in a graceful and remarkable way.

Like every great director Aronofsky had the vision to gamble in an actor consider a "has-been", injecting a…

The Wrestler came out in 2008. It's directed by Darren Aronofsky, who people know for directing films like Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream. The film starts Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, and Evan Rachel Wood.

I've heard many good things about The Wrestler, from critics and movie goers. My dad also told me how amazing this film and how much I would like it because I enjoy sports film such as Rocky, The Fighter, and The Blind Side. So, luckily, I was finally able to watch the movie and I was so pleased with this film. I loved The Wrestler!

Basically, the plot of the movie is that Mickey Rourke plays Randy Robinson who was known as "The Ram"…

Randy "the Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a wrestler who has continued to soldier on well past his prime, suffers a heart attack. His doctor tells him he must retire, so this lonely man, who has burned all his bridges and lives a marginal existence, must put together some kind of life outside the ring.

Rourke's amazing performance is the main draw in a film that is otherwise slightly overrated. Another strong aspect is the gritty, closely observed backstage milieu of the second string wrestling circuit where fading stars and rising rookies battle it out in seedy gyms and American Legion halls before small audiences. Although the competition is fake, the activity is real and the athletes take a tremendous beating.…

I remember when this film was initially released, it got my interest because it was about wrestling, and back then I would still consider watching WWE as one of my guilty pleasures. I had no idea that I was about to watch something that would leave me quite so amazed. Five years on and The Wrestler still brings out the same feelings and emotions in me as it did before. It manages to be both uplifting and heartbreaking, joyous and devastating, funny and brutal, and basically just downright superb.

Giving Mickey Rourke the role of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson has to go down as one of the best casting decisions ever. The similarities of The Ram's career to Rourke's are…

“20 Years Later,” indicates the title across the bottom of the screen in the opening shot of “The Wrestler.” Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is sitting in an empty locker room with his head down and his back to the camera. A promoter enters the frame and hands him a few measly bucks. This first scene says it all.

Set in the bowels of New Jersey, the film documents a washed up professional wrestler’s struggle to eke out a living as he continues to compete in the independent circuit. Gone are the glory days of his youth, when he headlined sold out stadium shows. “The Ram” now supports himself by working at the deli of a supermarket. But that’s…

Huh. This one suffered quite a bit upon a second viewing. Rourke is still great, as is Tomei… but the world surrounding them is pretty thin and frequently rings false, even condescending. Maybe part of the problem was watching it the day after WENDY AND LUCY which effortlessly achieves what THE WRESTLER is clearly aiming for (and often falls short of).

My initial response to the film was much more positive, though even then I felt that I wanted more time with the story. After seeing it this second time, I realize that that was largely about wanting the film to feel less designed and orchestrated. And indeed, maybe adding a few more scenes that AREN’T blatantly utilitarian would help…