The Wrestler DVD Review

The Wrestler (2008)

"The Wrestler" was recently released on DVD and it provides a great glimpse for fans at exactly how pro-wrestling takes its toll both inside and outside the ring. It's a true appreciation for what wrestlers have gone through and may continue to go through in their careers which sometimes span decades (Ric Flair). While this film is not for the timid in terms of violence, it's definitely eye opening with respect to a pro-wrestler's life. In this movie, actor Mickey Rourke dives off the top rope right into the ring for the role of a legendary, aging wrestler which he does amazingly with. You'll feel pain from the hard-hitting action in the squared circle as well as the pain felt when Rourke's real world self tries to patch things up in his real life.

Randy "The Ram" Robinson is a well-aged wrestler past his prime, still trying to keep his fame going in the pro-wrestling business. Actor Mickey Rourke handles the role exceptionally well and many critics have commented that The Ram's revival in the movie is a bit like Rourke's own revival as an actor. WWE fans who haven't seen the movie definitely have seen Rourke's work in terms of punching down Chris Jericho after the Wrestlemania 25 Legends match, but you'll see much more of his arsenal of wrestling moves in this film. According to a piece of trivia, Rourke was trained by one of the Wild Samoans for the role. While the story captures the trials and tribulations of a wrestler in the ring, it also tells a compelling story on the outside "real world" beyond the ring. Randy also tries to kindle a relationship with a stripper played by Marisa Tomei, while he finds himself lonely outside of the wrestling world. Throughout the flick you'll root for Randy as he struggles to pay rent with an additional part time job, tries to get his relationship with his daughter going again, and deals with the grueling physical toll wrestling takes on his body. Wrestling fans will really get a sense for what their favorite wrestlers go through year round in terms of the pain that comes with the business, as well as what they do to try to stay in shape, and keep their pain levels down. You'll also get more of an idea what Chris Jericho was alluding to in his taunting of the legends, saying they're trying to stay relevant and in the spotlight.

If you're a pro wrestling fan, then The Wrestler is a must-see movie for you. Backed by a hard rock 80's soundtrack and using gritty cinematography, the film covers many aspects of wrestling including the wrestlers discussing how their matches will play out before they enter the ring, as well as the use of "blades" for drawing blood during matches. Also included is a look at what sorts of physical pains and recoveries wrestlers have gone through, including the illegal use of performance enhancing drugs as well as painkillers. There's a riveting hardcore match which features everything imaginable used as a weapon from chairs to glass, tacks, and a clever use of a crowd member's prosthetic leg (which is based on a real wrestling event involving ECW's Tommy Dreamer). Fans will also want to keep an eye out for current Smackdown star, Ron "R-Truth" Killings in a brief cameo appearance (fans may also recognize The Ram's rival "Ayatollah" played by Ernest "The Cat" Miller).

Many people may have compared this film to Rocky in terms of its gritty look and the whole fighter making a comeback storyline, and that may be a logical comparison. But "The Wrestler" is definitely a movie which will give wrestling fans even better insight into how the business works and just what these amazing athlete-entertainers put themselves through to entertain the crowd as well as how they deal with everyday life on the outside.

The Wrestler (111 minutes) starring Mickey Rourke & Marisa Tomei is Rated R for violence, nudity and language andis currently available on DVD and Blu-ray at Amazon.com.