Cole Hill wrote this great review of "The Wrestler" after scoring an interview with director Darren Aronofsky. If you're never had the privilege of reading any of Cole's reviews, grab a cup of coffee and savor the rich prose. You're in for a treat.
"The Sacrificial Ram"
By Cole Hill
A bloodthirsty beast hides inside all of us. Romantics call it passion, an unyielding primal punch, the catalyst for creation worth following over any cliff. No one understands this better than director Darren Aronofsky.
"For me it's all about the process [of filmmaking]," asserts Aronofsky, "I enjoy every step." Few would expect such creative exuberance from a seasoned director, let alone anyone who's mired in the movie industry for more than a handful of years. And while cynics found it easy to dismiss his past work (see: "The Fountain") as little more than overwrought film school assignments, it will prove a heavy challenge for anyone to do the same after seeing his new film, "The Wrestler."
Hope shimmers faintly
beneath the neon slime of a strip club
Shot against the bleak backdrop of
But amongst this mess, hope shimmers faintly beneath the neon slime of a strip club. Aging exotic dancer Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), an unlikely kindred spirit, is Ram's last refuge outside the roar of the crowd. Splitting time between confessional lap dances with Ram (one of her only customers) and raising her son, Cassidy shares the wrestler's desperate yearning for something tangible beyond the spotlight. As Cassidy aids Ram in a last-ditch attempt to repair the relationship with his daughter, the two begin to question if what they've really needed is each other.
Adapted from a unique and witty script by Robert Siegel, this marks the first time Aronofsky has relinquished writing duties on a film. As for any of the skepticism that might draw, when speaking with Aronofsky it isn't difficult to comprehend his mastery over the world in the "The Wrestler."
"I think that most people think it's a joke, so they write it off. But the reality is if you're a 250-pound man jumping off the top rope... you're going to feel it in the morning."
Of course, the director's vision isn't hurt by the fact that the film's narrative eerily mirrors that of Rourke's career. It's difficult to imagine any other actor fitting into Ram's skin with such grace and subtlety as Rourke when he confesses to his daughter, "I'm a broken down piece of meat. I deserve to be alone. I just don't want you to hate me."
Filmed entirely with a handheld camera, "The Wrestler" bathes its shots in the depleted grit and grain of a true documentary. Lending much more than just a "realistic touch" to the final product, Aronofsky's style bleeds authenticity. What's more, no scene is wasted. By embracing point-of-view perspective, and often filming from behind in lingering long shots, even seemingly arbitrary moments like Ram working the day shift at the deli counter to support his wrestling are treated with the rare sincerity of a parent.
Much more than just another "sports movie," Aronofsky's fourth film safely knights him as one of the most promising directors in
The Boomer Brief recommends Netflix (
www.netflix.com) for your movie rentals. Monthly rental packages start at only $4.99 - and you can cancel at any time.
Put this one in your DVDelicious Library.