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My thoughts on “The Wrestler”

So I watched The Wrestler this morning and in someways I am almost speechless. The movie actually left my speechless. As someone who has been a wrestling fan since he was three years old I’ve always wondered how guys ended up after their careers. In a lot of ways this movie represents what happens to them in a extreme ways. I thought of all the guys who died once the spotlight was no longer on them. I thought about guys like, Curt Hennig, Big Boss Man, The British Bulldog, Hawk, Earthquake, Mike Awesome and so many more. Now did the do exactly what Randy “the Ram” did? No, but it’s the same idea and same concept.

My favorite part of the movie is not even the wrestling. It’s where he and his daughter danced in the old ballroom. In a lot of ways it represent how the wrestling lifestyle is. They leave their families, homes, and life behind to entertain us. What people learned from this movie or at least what I learned is that professional wrestlers are just like us. They have the same hardships, and the same problems as we do. They have their up’s and down’s just like the rest of us.

Mickey Rourke who has struggled a lot over the last decade to get a leading role in a great movie definitely put himself back on the map as being a superb actor. I honestly don’t think anyone else could have played Randy “the Ram” Robinson. It was also good to see some of the independent guys get some exposure like Jay Lethal, Jim Powers, Ron Killings, Claudio Castagnoli, Romeo Roselli, and Nigel McGuinness. All whom have some exposure in the wrestling business. It was also great to see Ernest Miller back in the spotlight, as he played “The Ayatollah” who was Randy’s greatest opponent during his prime and his last opponent in the movie.

I must warn you however, this movie is not for kids. This movie is extreme and if you’re not sixteen or older you should not see this movie. However I will recommend this movie to all wrestling fans and to anyone who loves a good story. This is truly a great story. If you don’t think so look at all the awards it’s won or been nominated for. Here is the list:

-Golden Lion (Won)
-Golden Globe Award: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Mickey Rourke) (Won)
-Golden Globe Award: Best Original Song – Motion Picture (“The Wrestler” written and performed by Bruce Springsteen) (Won)
-Golden Globe Award: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Marisa Tomei) (Nominated)
-Academy Award for Best Actor (Mickey Rourke) (Nominated)
-Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Marisa Tomei) (Nominated)
-Screen Actor’s Guild Award for Outstanding Male Actor in a Leading Role (Mickey Rourke) (Nominated)
-Writer’s Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay (Robert D. Siegel) (Nominated) (TBD)
-BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Mickey Rourke) (Nominated)
-BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Marisa Tomei) (Nominated)

But even without the awards, in my view “The Wrestler” will go down as a timeless classic. It has everything in it from humor, sadness, action, violence and a great story. I would definitely give the Wrestler 4.5 Stars out of 5. It was that good. So even if you’re not a die hard wrestling fan like I have been all my life go and out and see this movie. You’ll have a new appreciation for professional wrestling and you see a great story that will unfold right before your eyes.

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