Rocky Balboa's Wrestling Counterpart

Randy "The Ram" Robinson was one of the most celebrated professional wrestlers of the 1980s. Now, twenty years later, The Ram is struggling desperately for the fame and glory that once was. But times have changed, and those times are tough. He maintains his wrestling presence by participating in small matches held at local school gymnasiums and fan signings at the VFW.

While The Ram dreams of a comeback that will propel him back to the heights of his fame, reality is quickly setting in. Complications from aging and a lifetime of steroid use make entering the ring more and more dangerous every time. However, life outside the ring doesn't have much to offer him. This former wrestling superstar now lives in a trailer park, works at a grocery store, and fails at every attempt to reconnect with his estranged daughter. Plus, his only real female interest is a stripper named Cassidy who treats The Ram as just another costumer.

Since the "real" world has nothing to offer, The Ram places all his hopes and dreams back in the ring. At least there, the fans (those who remember him) still love and adore him.

This movie does bare some resemblance to the washed up, underdog athlete story of the Rocky movies, particularly the excellent Rocky Balboa. However, this isn't a Rocky movie, and everything doesn't always work out just fine and peachy for The Ram. The Wrestler is moving and bittersweet. It left me wanting to cry and cheer for joy at the same time.

And maybe I'm too young, but I don't really know Mickey Rourke particularly well in anything other than Sin City. So, while I can't speak much to this being the declared resurrection of his career, I can say that he gives a mighty fine performance in this film. Rourke certainly deserves all the acclaim and fanfare he's received for this role.

Oh, and if you're scared of Darren Aronofsky movies, don't let that understandable fear dissuade you from The Wrestler. This movie is by far the most mainstream and approachable movie he's done. So just forget for a moment the weirdness of Pi, Requiem for a Dream, and The Fountain, and go watch this movie.

8.5/10 Toddsperience