The Wrestler

First thing I gotta say is I love Mickey—so let’s start there…

I remember when I was 16 working at Parkway Bowl Bowling Alley in El Cajon, California, watching a Rourke movie for the first time. I would get free movies because the bowling alley was connected to a theatre, so often after or before work I would catch a flick. Year of the Dragon was the first Rourke movie I saw—which was a great film. Then the classic Pope of Greenwich Village” and I was hooked. He had such an intense way of drawing you into his character whether he was a good guy, bad guy or somewhere inbetween. Actually I don’t think he has ever been a good guy—so scratch that. So enough about the Mickey and me history lesson—The Wrestler.

The Wrestler is a gritty hard to watch film, Rourke looks beaten up, broken down and washed up—hmm, kinda like his career over the last 18 years. The Wrestler does a great job painting a picture of  ”This is who I am, this is my purpose” but when your career is coming to an end—what’s left? This film reminds me a lot of the first Rocky, not a lot of flash, just a good story with great acting.  This feels like real life, no over the top movie score, no fast past wrestling ring scene, but plenty of scenes that make you cringe. Marisa Tomei was great as the love interest/stripper but truly the best heartfelt moments were with Evan Rachel Wood who plays Mickey’s daughter.

I love the way the movie ends. I will say no more.

Review: Good Flick.