the wrestler (2009)

i honestly believe that darren aronofsky is one of the most interesting people working in cinema today. i was one of the few that wholeheartedly adored (and still adore) "the fountain", seeing it at its very first screening when it was released a few years ago. to this day i still defend it online, an act i have become accustomed with from the very first evening after seeing it. i just dont understand what the big problem with that film is, i dont understand why people hate it so vehemently. anyway, regardless of my feeling on that film im pleased to see that aronofsky is back in the loving arms of the film press at large.

my one worry over "the wrestler" was that aronofsky may dilute his style too much, that he may have been worried about over stylising his film after the complaints of his previous effort. alas i had little to worry about, there are plenty of indications that this is a film by a bona-fide auteur, working at the (current) height of his craft. the fractured narrative in the telling of randy's (mickey rourke) near-fatal wrestling match shows traits of aronofsky's past, with the most telling sign being the abrupt ending. i cant explain how pleased i was to see that the ending of the film wasnt a cop out, with the usual hollywood ending tact on. it wouldnt have made sense for randy to be happy anywhere other than on the top turnbuckle of a wrestling ring, and im glad to see that that is where we leave him. randy is a fuck up, he cant do anything right outside of the ring yet inside of it he is transformed into a king.

mickey rourke is the obvious standout of the picture, as shown from the huge reception that he has received for the role. he is wonderful as randy "the ram", but as to whether the role will kickstart his career or not, im not too sure it will. perhaps rourke is too much like the character, and is always destined to mess things up regardless of the chances he is given. based on previous for it would suggest the latter, but im hoping not. marisa tomei is great in support, as the stripper with a heart. what with this and "before the devil knows youre dead" she too is on a bit of a career resurgence.

"the wrestler" is the one hundredth film on the hopeandbullshitlist. i cant think of a better film to take that honor.