The Wrestler

There’s a reason Mickey Rourke got nominated for an academy award this year. This movie is really good, even if you don’t like wrestling. If you DO like wrestling, you’ll love this movie. The backstage talk before matches is hilarious and full of brilliant descriptions of wrestling moves. Rourke is a wrestler whose hay-day has passed. He still has a fan following, but a heart attack puts him out of commission for a bit. His day job is frustrating and he tries to reunite with his daughter. The movie is not uplifting by any stretch, but it is extremely well acted and directed. My only complaint is the handheld camera work. I was motion sick within the first 20 minutes of the film. Seriously motion sick – like eyes closed, slunk down in my chair, and sweating like a Twinkie at a weight watchers convention. Seriously sick. I honestly listened to more of the film than I watched it. Just be prepared for that. Otherwise, it’s a brilliant film.