The Wrestler
What:
The Wrestler
When:
Out Jan 15
Watch the trailer:
Here
Win:
Thanks to Hopscotch, we have a screening on Thurs Dec 18 at the Nova, 9.30pm! To enter, email win@threethousand.com.au with the subject ‘The '80s fuckin' ruled until that pussy Cobain came and fucked it all up!'
The Wrestler is an extraordinary film. It's as if Mickey Rourke's entire sad, bizarre history - his squandered '80s potential, his boxing career, his mashed-up, surgery-mask face - has been training for this performance. He is Randy ‘The Ram' Robinson.
Director Darren Aronofsky has created a flesh spectacle: bodies sweat, bleed and ultimately give out. We're right there as wrestlers slam, grapple and stage-manage their bouts, and as medics pick glass and staples from wounds. There's an achingly sad scene at an autograph signing where Randy takes in the walking sticks, wheelchairs and exhausted faces of his contemporaries. And another, just as dispiriting, brand of flesh is on offer at the strip club where Randy's crush, Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), works.
Sure, there's hair-metal and spandex enough to satisfy the most irony-fuelled Gunners fan, but The Wrestler has the quiet, observational style of the first Rocky film.
Watching Randy persistently court Cassidy and reach out to his estranged daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood) is heartbreaking. But there are hilarious moments, too - especially Randy's customer service skills in a supermarket deli.
Only in the ring does Randy have dignity and purpose. But his story stays with you far outside the cinema.
Format: Cinema
Mood: Rad
Keywords: Darren Aronofsky, Mickey Rourke
Random Entries:
Subscribe to our e-newsletter for weekly updates and exclusive stuff:
Browse our guide to Melbourne by interest
Melbourne Events Calendar
Select a date to see what's on in Melbourne
Browse our guide to Melbourne by keyword
Browse our guide to Melbourne by weekly issue
Working