The Wrestler

The Wrestler is a 2008 film directed by Darren Aronofsky. The film follows the life events of former famous professional wrestler, Randy "The Ram" Robinson (played by Mickey Rourke), who has fallen on hard times. As the film follows his life, we see the conflicts involving his interactions with current and former relationships regarding his lesbian daughter, a stripper, his current employment at a grocery store in the packing department, and his yearning to rectify his shortcomings in such endeavors, while aiming to not be an afterthought in the indie circuit of wrestling as a has-been.

The film is through and through a fictional character study which employs the use of minimal soundtrack and heavy moments of gritty silence when following Randy. The camera is usually on Randy, as he is in nearly every scene in the film. Often, the camera will use minimal cutting to follow him in long shots that literally show his every move in certain situations. Jump cuts are, however, used to get the viewer from setting to setting. When the score is employed, it is for purely when we are put in the gaze of Randy.

I believe that every aspect that was attempted to be attained in this film was achieved. Aronofsky has, in a sense, truly made one of the most authentic films in cinema history. I lend this heavily to masterful camera cuts, charming dialogue, and points of view that often center around Randy. The color tone of the film is gritty and real. The cinematography in this film is wondrous due to it's use of such real and bleak visuals that arouse the true disposition of Randy and his emotions at said instances. In terms of the sport of professional wrestling, the use of terminology and general depiction of the indie circuit is ultimately one of the most authentic ever displayed. As a character study, the film truly conveys every emotion he feels. We, the audience feel it as he feels it. Rarely can one character be so developed and investing as Randy "The Ram" Robinson. In terms of Aronofsky conveying such emotion and realness, credit can be given to more than one person, as the script is phenomenal, the camera work is astounding, and Mickey Rourke truly shines in his portrayal of a conflicted man with valid and worthy emotional representation. Everything "fits". The effort and passion is visible here. The Wrestler is a film that does everything it sets out to do artistically.