A faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle.A faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle.A faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 58 wins & 93 nominations total
Dylan Keith Summers
- Necro Butcher
- (as Dylan Summers)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDue to the film's modest budget, Axl Rose donated the use of Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine" free of charge for the final match.
- GoofsThe promoter mentions that Ram's match with Tommy Rotten will be for "the strap", which refers to a promotion's title belt. However, following Ram's victory over Rotten, he is not seen holding a title belt or announced as the new champion.
- Quotes
Randy 'The Ram' Robinson: The only place I get hurt is out there. The world don't give a shit about me.
- ConnectionsFeatured in At the Movies: Summer Special 2008/09 (2008)
- Soundtracks(Bang Your Head) Metal Health
Written by Frankie Banali, Carlos Cavazo, Tony Cavazo, and Kevin DuBrow
Performed by Quiet Riot
Courtesy of Hands On Productions, LLC
Featured review
Brutal, Honest, Touching film
The Wrestler is a drama centered around an aging professional wrestler past his prime. It's so much more than that. You don't have to be a fan of wrestling to enjoy this film. The wrestling part of it can be put aside as a back story. Randy "The Ram" could be in any other profession, doing any other thing and could be in the same situation. That's what's so great about it. He's just a lonely guy, whose life seems to have passed him by. A middle aged man who doesn't have much going for him. Sure, he's a wrestler, but he needs wrestling more than wrestling needs him. He needs it to feel important, to feel like a somebody. He really has nothing to show for himself, no wife, just a daughter he hasn't been there for his whole life. Missed opportunities. He's sad and alone and we really do feel for him.
A closer bond seems to be forming between him and his stripper friend, played by Marisa Tomei, who seems to be in a similar situation as he is. The middle aged stripper who seems to have a real connection with "The Ram" is shown in another misunderstood profession. We all may not be as different as we may think. Health problems compromise his wrestling career as he tries to deal with the real world and rebuild his relationship with his abandoned daughter. The scenes with Evan Rachel Wood (his daughter) are touching. Beautifully done. Rourke's character portrayal of the Ram is one of the best in a long time. He's not just acting, he transforms into the character on screen. It's amazing to watch. All the credit he's getting is truly deserved.
The film is Directed by Darren Aronofsky, who also directed Requiem for a Dream. He does a beautiful job showing the sport with realism. The film respects the wrestlers and their world, and expects the same from the audience. This film is done in a style that's so real, so honest, so amazing, in easily one of the best films of the year. All around great performances and great direction. Definitely worth checking out sometime.
A closer bond seems to be forming between him and his stripper friend, played by Marisa Tomei, who seems to be in a similar situation as he is. The middle aged stripper who seems to have a real connection with "The Ram" is shown in another misunderstood profession. We all may not be as different as we may think. Health problems compromise his wrestling career as he tries to deal with the real world and rebuild his relationship with his abandoned daughter. The scenes with Evan Rachel Wood (his daughter) are touching. Beautifully done. Rourke's character portrayal of the Ram is one of the best in a long time. He's not just acting, he transforms into the character on screen. It's amazing to watch. All the credit he's getting is truly deserved.
The film is Directed by Darren Aronofsky, who also directed Requiem for a Dream. He does a beautiful job showing the sport with realism. The film respects the wrestlers and their world, and expects the same from the audience. This film is done in a style that's so real, so honest, so amazing, in easily one of the best films of the year. All around great performances and great direction. Definitely worth checking out sometime.
Helpful•37138
- Billy_Costigan
- Jan 19, 2009
- Permalink
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $6,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $26,238,243
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $202,714
- Dec 21, 2008
- Gross worldwide
- $44,734,660
- Runtime1 hour 49 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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