The Wrestler is a poignant tale about what it takes to really live. Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei gave truly masterful performances. To Mr. Aronofsky (the director), I’d like to say thank you for not ruining another film with weird camera tricks or strange POV shots. Yes, the hand-held got a bit nauseating at points, but you got out of the way of the story and that’s a huge leap forward for you (seriously, thanks).
The beauty of The Wrestler shines through its screenplay which uses wrestling in a ring as a springboard for telling a deeply moving story about what it means to wrestle in one’s own heart. I know what it means to wrestle there and found, with great familiarity and disappointment, that Rourke’s character made the same choice I always make . . . to pull away from relationship. I desperately needed him to make the other choice.
Of course, I can’t blame him for his choice because that would be too much like pointing the finger at myself. Yet, I do long for my art to get right what I don’t have the courage to get right in my own life thereby giving hope that should I storm the gates of complacency I may not just break through, but live. Still, I can’t fault the creators of The Wrestler for telling a story that accurately reflects reality, I just desired an alternate ending.
I love this film and would put it at number 2 in my all time favorites list just behind Million Dollar Baby.
How would you have liked this film to end?
Wow, The Wrestler and Million Dollar Baby are your favorite films . . . these aren’t the lightest fare (you’ve piqued my curiosity, what is it about these films that resonates with you?).
As for how I would have liked The Wrestler to end, I wanted to see Randy choose his daughter and Cassidy (aka real, genuine, loving relationships) over the seemingly empty existence of a lonely, has-been professional wrestler. Randy simply refuses to move on and, at the end, continues to grasp at a fantasy world that strokes his deeply wounded ego, but can never provide the genuine healing (and life) found in the love and acceptance of a child or spouse.
While I love watching movies, and it is a hobby for me. Sport is my life and passion. So to be able to really connect on the sporting level with the character’s in those movies, both having a desire and passion to perform and do well in the sport, I totally relate to that.
I loved the ending of The Wrestler because of the reason that no-one would ever understand how much wrestling meant to him. With MDB the fact that Maggie was willing to do whatever it took to be a boxer was just inspiring. No matter who told her it was wrong and women should not fight.
Hey Caz . . . Thanks for the explanation. I see a bit more clearly why these particular films would appeal to you. I applaud you for being passionate and am glad that you can see the good in even some of the most heart-breaking films. Might I suggest something like Billy Elliot where someone is passionate for sport, and the film ends well
. Just a suggestion. Thanks for writing . . . as always!
Ooo yeah I love Billy Elliot, especially as that is set very close to where I am from
Are you serious . . . you’re from the northern UK? I think you’re my new best friend. I find British cinema simply brilliant (for the most part). I secretly wish I was British . . . mainly for the accent and because then I could have the potential of being related to Jane Austen.
Hmmm, “The Wrestler” ended the best way it could. Randy the Ram had already burned his bridge with his daughter. He might have made a go with the stripper, but maybe not. I had a brief hope for Randy’s redemption as a delightful deli man, but in the end, killing himself/dying for his art was really the best way.
I couldn’t disagree with you more. Well, OK, I do agree that it was building to the ending we received, but it could have ended on a more redemptive note (all right, forget redemptive . . . I would have taken the good old happy ending!). Am I predictable or what?