The Wrestler (2008)
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An aging professional wrestler struggles to maintain his career and reconnect with his estranged daughter while facing failing health.
The story
In the 2000s, aging professional wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson lives in a trailer park and works part-time at a supermarket while wrestling on weekends for independent promotions. Despite his declining health and waning fame, he seeks to reclaim his former glory from the 1980s. He attempts to mend his relationship with his estranged daughter, Stephanie, and finds a connection with a stripper named Cassidy. After winning a local match, Randy accepts a high-stakes rematch against his former rival, "The Ayatollah," viewing it as a final opportunity to return to stardom while navigating the complexities of his personal life and physical limitations.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a wrestler who rose to fame in the 1980s, struggles with his health and career in the 2000s. He trains intensely for a 20th-anniversary rematch against "The Ayatollah" but suffers a heart attack and is advised by doctors to stop using steroids and retire. He begins working at a deli but eventually quits after a fan recognizes him. He reconciles with his estranged daughter, Stephanie, but after a series of personal failures and a missed date, she disowns him. He then reconciles with Cassidy, who urges him to retire. He refuses, stating he belongs in the ring. During the final match, despite experiencing severe chest pains, Randy refuses to stop. He performs his signature move, the "Ram Jam," and the film ends as he hears the crowd's cheers.
- First release year
- 2008
- Runtime (minutes)
- 109
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Darren Aronofsky
- Writers
- Robert Siegel · writer
- Cast and characters
- Mickey Rourke · Robin Ramzinski / Randy "The Ram" Robinson; Marisa Tomei · Pam / Cassidy; Evan Rachel Wood · Stephanie Ramzinski; Mark Margolis · Lenny; Todd Barry · Wayne; Judah Friedlander · Scott Brumberg; Ernest Miller · Bob / 'The Ayatollah'; Ajay Naidu · Medic
- Genres
- sports drama; psychological drama
- Themes
- aging; father-daughter relationships; self-harm; identity
- Tone and mood
- heart-wrenching; rewarding
- Premise and plot tags
- sports drama; professional wrestling; independent film
- Reception
- The film received universal acclaim and critical praise for Mickey Rourke's performance.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 99% · scale: percentage · review count: 229
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Lion Award · Film · Win; Golden Globe · Best Actor · Win; British Academy Film Award · Best Actor · Win; Oscar · Best Actor · Nomination; Academy Award · Best Supporting Actress · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The film features a playable demo of a fictional Nintendo Entertainment System game called Wrestle Jam '88.; A new Bruce Springsteen song, also titled "The Wrestler", was written specifically for the film's closing credits.; The Guns N' Roses song "Sweet Child o' Mine" was provided for free due to the film's modest budget.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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