May 26, 2012

Video Views Pick: The Wrestler

by Art Slavin | Published April 21, 2009

Darren Aronofsky directs Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler (2008).

directed by Darren Aronofsky
DVD Release: April 21, 2009
R; 115 minutes

Twenty years ago he was a headliner. Today Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is still wrestling, but his beat-up body isn’t what it used to be. He still commands the respect of his fans and fellow wrestlers, even though the venues are now VFW halls and high school gyms. Then, when after a particularly tough match he has a heart attack, he realizes he must retire. Outside of that world, however, he has no friends except for the exotic dancer (Marisa Tomei) who works at the bar he frequents. She likes him, but has a tough time separating him from the rest of her customers. And Randy’s estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) is not about to forgive him for having left her when she was a youngster. Randy tries to make it working behind the counter of a deli, but the lure of the ring and the attention it brings seems to be the only thing he can hear.

DVD Extras: “Within the Ring” Featurette; Bruce Springsteen Music Video .

Go to www.morevideoviews.com/subscriptions/freecopy to get a FREE ISSUE of Video Views magazine, featuring the month’s new releases, the top 50, a movie contest, feature columns, games, staff picks and more.