'The Wrestler' D:Daron Aronofsky, w/Mickey Rourke
08-12-08 | 04:17 PM
#26
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
"Clint Mansell (Requiem for a Dream) recorded his score for the film last week in Los Angeles. Apparently Slash, formerly from Guns and Roses provided some guitar work. Aronofsky writes “he really tore it up.” And apparently there is “another musical surprise” but we won’t find out until next week.
Nice.
Nice.
09-04-08 | 12:35 PM
#28
DVD Talk Legend
Looks like the soundtrack will have an original Springsteen track, as well as several 80's cock-rock mainstays. From Pitchfork:
In a coup that could inspire film school students with experimental leanings everywhere, Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream) has gotten Bruce Springsteen to write a new song for his new movie The Wrestler. The "wonderful acoustic piece" soundtracks the end of the film, according to the director's blog [via the Playlist].
The Playlist reports that The Wrestler also features music from AC/DC, Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Cinderella, Great White, and similar acts in its script.
The Playlist reports that The Wrestler also features music from AC/DC, Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Cinderella, Great White, and similar acts in its script.
09-04-08 | 07:54 PM
#30
DVD Talk Legend
Variety review.
....Rourke creates a galvanizing, humorous, deeply moving portrait that instantly takes its place among the great, iconic screen performances. An elemental story simply and brilliantly told, Darren Aronofsky's fourth feature is a winner from every possible angle...
09-05-08 | 07:23 AM
#33
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I am seeing this at the New York City Film Festival on October 12th.
Here's the NYFF description:
"With his hearing aid and graying hair, pro wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson may be past his prime, but Mickey Rourke has never been better than he is in the title role of Darren Aronofsky’s seriocomic, existentialist wrestling drama. When a brush with mortality relegates him to working a supermarket deli counter, The Ram tries to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and settle down with his on-again, off-again stripper girlfriend (an excellent Marisa Tomei). But like any old vaudevillian, he pines for the roar of the crowd, especially when the prospect of a high-profile rematch with an old nemesis presents itself. Owing more to John Osborne’s The Entertainer than to pugilistic hallmarks like Raging Bull and Fat City, this is a poignant, thoroughly unexpected and occasionally ultra-violent movie about performance, self-worth and the satisfying thwack of a folding chair to the back."
Here's the NYFF description:
"With his hearing aid and graying hair, pro wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson may be past his prime, but Mickey Rourke has never been better than he is in the title role of Darren Aronofsky’s seriocomic, existentialist wrestling drama. When a brush with mortality relegates him to working a supermarket deli counter, The Ram tries to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and settle down with his on-again, off-again stripper girlfriend (an excellent Marisa Tomei). But like any old vaudevillian, he pines for the roar of the crowd, especially when the prospect of a high-profile rematch with an old nemesis presents itself. Owing more to John Osborne’s The Entertainer than to pugilistic hallmarks like Raging Bull and Fat City, this is a poignant, thoroughly unexpected and occasionally ultra-violent movie about performance, self-worth and the satisfying thwack of a folding chair to the back."
09-05-08 | 01:47 PM
#35
DVD Talk Hero
Hollywood Reporter's Review:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/....jsp?rid=11602
A little less thrilled with a few overly sentimental parts, but overall also high praise for the director and actors.
An article on The Wrestler from The Venice Film Fest:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080905...e_080905180738
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/....jsp?rid=11602
A little less thrilled with a few overly sentimental parts, but overall also high praise for the director and actors.
An article on The Wrestler from The Venice Film Fest:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080905...e_080905180738
Last edited by RichC2; 09-05-08 at 01:53 PM.
09-06-08 | 02:40 PM
#36
DVD Talk Legend
Winner of Best Picture at Venice Film Festival.
AP video report, including footage from the film as well as interviews with Aronofsky and Rourke:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cRDainAvvrk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cRDainAvvrk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
AP video report, including footage from the film as well as interviews with Aronofsky and Rourke:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cRDainAvvrk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cRDainAvvrk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
Last edited by NoirFan; 09-06-08 at 02:46 PM.
09-06-08 | 02:50 PM
#37
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Sweet mother of Rowdy Roddy Piper!
This is basically a lock for distribution very, very soon. And if Mickey Rourke gets a remotely good chance at winning an Oscar, my life could very well be complete.
This is basically a lock for distribution very, very soon. And if Mickey Rourke gets a remotely good chance at winning an Oscar, my life could very well be complete.
09-06-08 | 03:18 PM
#38
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"It is often perceived as the unofficial start of the long run-in to the Oscars the following year, where Rourke is widely expected to be nominated in the best actor category."
Fuck yeah.
Fuck yeah.
09-06-08 | 05:22 PM
#39
DVD Talk Hero
Must be nice for Aronofsky after all the flak and questioning of his ability stemming from The Fountain.
09-06-08 | 08:59 PM
#40
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Hero
And who would have ever thought a movie called the wrestler starring mickey rourke could be up for serious oscar contention. I am actually glad Nic Cage passed/dropped out of the movie.
09-07-08 | 04:09 PM
#41
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I'm not sure who looks worse, Stallone, Rourke, or Wayne Newton? 
I normally wouldn't be interested in a film about wrestling, but this looks very promising. The fact that Tomei is playing an aging stripper is enough to have me onboard.
I normally wouldn't be interested in a film about wrestling, but this looks very promising. The fact that Tomei is playing an aging stripper is enough to have me onboard.
09-07-08 | 04:21 PM
#42
DVD Talk Limited Edition
As a lifetime pro wrestling fan, I find it very shocking that a movie called "The Wrestler" was shot by such a terrific director, and it's main actor has serious Oscar protential.
With that said, I can't wait to see it!
With that said, I can't wait to see it!
09-07-08 | 04:51 PM
#43
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Hero
09-08-08 | 12:21 AM
#44
DVD Talk Legend
Some more footage - just ignore the Italian guy and the subtitles.
09-08-08 | 01:31 PM
#46
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Hero
Studio news
After a massive, all-night bidding war, Variety's Anne Thompson reports that Fox Searchlight has snagged The Wrestler for roughly $4 million, marking the first big purchase of the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. Following its Golden Lion win in Venice and a Toronto premiere that left folks buzzing up a storm, Searchlight, along with Overture, Lionsgate, Weinstein Co. and Sony, began bidding on the flick, which some say solidifies a sure-fire Oscar nod for Mickey Rourke. In the end, it would appear that Searchlight won out ... and after a very successful marketing campaign last year for Juno (which landed all sorts of recognition), it should be interesting to see what Searchlight does with this.
09-08-08 | 02:43 PM
#47
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Regular Fox may suck, but Fox Searchlight is a great and welcome home for this one it seems. With their track record, this could end up being pretty big thanks to all the Oscar buzz for Rourke. Oscar buzz and wrestling in the same sentence! HOLY SHIT!
09-08-08 | 07:52 PM
#49
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by slashfilm review
Some might say that The Wrestler is a departure from director Darren Aronofsky, while many others may look at it as an evolution. One thing is for sure, it’s very different, and certainly more mature than the filmmaker’s previous work. I’d love to compare it to Paul Thomas Anderson’s transition from films like Boogie Nights and Magnolia to There Will Be Blood. The Wrestler, like TWBB, strips it down to the bones. The fantastical stylized cinematography has been replaced with gritty handheld and performances so realistic that you’ll feel like you’re watching a documentary. Understated and simple seem to be the buzz words being used to describe the film affectionately. The Wrestler is a heartbreaking, beautiful film.
A fan asks Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) to sign an autograph while reminiscing about seeing his first wrestling match at the Spectrum. “You were awesome,” the fan tells Randy. WERE being the key word. The Ram is now playing to small crowds in high school auditoriums and armories. We’re not talking about someone on the level of Hulk Hogan, who was able to make and save cash along the way. Imagine someone like Jake the Snake Roberts, who is now traveling to independent wrestling events on the weekends to pay the rent. Robinson finds himself living in a van after being locked out of his junk-filled trailer by his landlord.
At the conclusion of a hardcore wrestling match, Robinson suffers a heart attack backstage, collapsing in his own vomit. The doctor tells the wrestling legend that he can no longer wrestle, and has to start taking better care of himself. Lonely and depressed, Randy befriends a 30-something-year-old tattooed stripper named Cassidy (Marisa Tomei) and begins working weekend shifts at the deli-counter at the the local supermarket. Randy also tried to reconnect with his estranged 22-year-old daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood). But all Randy knows is the ring…
Rourke was born to play this role. Mickey’s performance is worthy of all the Oscar buzz that has been floating around since the Venice premiere. Also, Tomei and Wood’s performances should not be discounted. Robert Siegel’s screenplay is so very detail orientated, and Aronofsky gets every single one of them right - from the opening credit sequence which shows the Ram’s illustrious career through clippings from Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine, to the behavior of the wrestlers behind the scenes. This is the first fictional film I’ve seen to accurately portray professional wrestling.
The Wrestler does for wrestling what Rocky did to boxing. Those who have no knowledge of this world will be fascinated by the peek behind the curtain. From planning a blade job, to mapping out the match with the opponent, to the illegal drug purchasing, to a scene which shows medical assistants picking staples out of a wrestler’s body following a hard core match. My favorite shot of the entire film follows Randy as he leaves the rush of the ring, to the unglamorous lonely backstage area. It is easy to see how this attention can become addicting, especially when the rest of the world doesn’t care about you anymore.
/Film Rating: 9 out of 10
A fan asks Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) to sign an autograph while reminiscing about seeing his first wrestling match at the Spectrum. “You were awesome,” the fan tells Randy. WERE being the key word. The Ram is now playing to small crowds in high school auditoriums and armories. We’re not talking about someone on the level of Hulk Hogan, who was able to make and save cash along the way. Imagine someone like Jake the Snake Roberts, who is now traveling to independent wrestling events on the weekends to pay the rent. Robinson finds himself living in a van after being locked out of his junk-filled trailer by his landlord.
At the conclusion of a hardcore wrestling match, Robinson suffers a heart attack backstage, collapsing in his own vomit. The doctor tells the wrestling legend that he can no longer wrestle, and has to start taking better care of himself. Lonely and depressed, Randy befriends a 30-something-year-old tattooed stripper named Cassidy (Marisa Tomei) and begins working weekend shifts at the deli-counter at the the local supermarket. Randy also tried to reconnect with his estranged 22-year-old daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood). But all Randy knows is the ring…
Rourke was born to play this role. Mickey’s performance is worthy of all the Oscar buzz that has been floating around since the Venice premiere. Also, Tomei and Wood’s performances should not be discounted. Robert Siegel’s screenplay is so very detail orientated, and Aronofsky gets every single one of them right - from the opening credit sequence which shows the Ram’s illustrious career through clippings from Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine, to the behavior of the wrestlers behind the scenes. This is the first fictional film I’ve seen to accurately portray professional wrestling.
The Wrestler does for wrestling what Rocky did to boxing. Those who have no knowledge of this world will be fascinated by the peek behind the curtain. From planning a blade job, to mapping out the match with the opponent, to the illegal drug purchasing, to a scene which shows medical assistants picking staples out of a wrestler’s body following a hard core match. My favorite shot of the entire film follows Randy as he leaves the rush of the ring, to the unglamorous lonely backstage area. It is easy to see how this attention can become addicting, especially when the rest of the world doesn’t care about you anymore.
/Film Rating: 9 out of 10
