Darren Aronofsky's 'Requiem for a Dream' is one of the hardest-hitting films I've ever seen. With 'The Wrestler' he doesn't quite hit those heights but he has still fashioned a magnificent film. All of the hype that this film has received has been for Mickey Rourke's performance and it is all justified, this is the Mickey Rourke who blasted a great De Niro performance off screen in 'Angel Heart' with beautiful emotional balance and this role sees him equalling that career-height. The pain, confusion and frustration are all too authentic and, given what we know about Rourke outside of the film, come from his very core. The redemption within the film is all Rourke's- this is the role of a lifetime for the most talented actor of his generation. In every way this is the film that 'Rocky Balboa' was supposed to be.
The three distinct plotlines- the washed-up professional wrestler, the too-old lap-dancer and the daughter who reconciles herself to the fact that her father will never be there for her- dovetail beautifully and genuinely provoke questions rather than offering answers. It is far easier to preach a message or promote a particular belief than to allow me (as the viewer) to take away the questions to consider for myself.
The themes evoked are around existentialism, redemption, forgiveness, rejection, being and doing, nihilism and identity. Aronofsky tones down the visual stylistics that he is capable of, stripping bare the movie of unnecessary flourishes and relying upon the power of the storytelling. It is a confident move from a first-class Director. Aside from the ring entrance sounds that accompany Rourke on his walk to the deli counter and the whistling noise each time he removes his hearing aid, I can't off-hand think of anything that Aronofsky does in addition to pure story-rendering.
The downsides of 'The Wrestler' are a sadly-predictable (though beautifully drawn) ending and Tomei's lack of chemistry with Rourke. She can't hold her own with the film's star and I'm not impressed with her Golden Globe nomination at all. That restricts 'The Wrestler' to 8/10 for me. It was almost so much more.
