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Now On DVD/Blu-Ray: Darren Aronofsky, The Wrestler
04/27/2009 Wrestling. Film. It seems the two are more or less the same in many respects. Performances are rehearsed, storylines are drawn up, and at the end of the day, the suits ultimately run the show. Yet, when performers from one medium crossed over into the other (Stone Cold Steve Austin in The Condemned, Goldberg in Universal Soldier: The Return), or when movies about the sport were created (Nacho Libre, Ready to Rumble), it just didn’t work. In 2008, at long last, audiences finally found something that did. Many penned Mickey Rourke’s powerful performance as Randy “The Ram” Robinson as his cinematic return to form. I guess it wasn’t enough that in 2005, amongst a smorgasbord of big name Hollywood celebs (Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Jessica Alba, etc.), Rourke stole the show from everyone as the always engaging Marv in Sin City. As perfect as Rourke was in that role, however, he truly does outdo himself here. Through all his faults and failures, you can’t help but empathize with him, even when he makes some really big booboos. Not to mention, with his golden locks and green tights, he really does look like an actual wrestler. I dare say there’s a little bit of Mr. Perfect and Shawn Michaels there. It should also be noted that as great as Rourke is, the film works so well because of the efforts of others involved, too. The ladies (Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood) really bring their A-game to the screen as Randy’s love interest and his daughter, respectively. Robert Siegel’s poignant and humanistic script really helps the audience align themselves with the down-and-out fighter. And Darren Aronofsky’s decision to create a movie atypical of his usually chaotic and confounding style really pays off here. What we have is not just a beautifully done drama but an accurate and respectful treatment of a profession commonly viewed as lowbrow. There are only 3 special features attached to the DVD, but for the most part, they’re worth a watch. Bruce Springsteen’s music video for the title theme song is a nice addition, but it’s not an altogether amazing thing to watch. However, that doesn’t make the song any less great, or its Oscar nomination snub any less criminal. The other two supplements are featurettes. “Within the Ring” is an interesting documentary that spans a little over 42 minutes and gives the viewer an in-depth glimpse into the making of the film. The back of the DVD case describes it as “no-holds-barred,” and that’s pretty accurate. While no one goes so far as to berate him, some people (director Aronofsky included) don’t shy away from divulging that working with Mickey Rourke is not always a pleasant experience. It may not necessarily be the most politically correct thing to put on a home distribution package, but it’s refreshing to hear people talk openly and honestly about the filmmaking process. “Wrestler Round Table” (approx. 25 min) sees an interviewer ask five former wrestlers about their thoughts on the film. I used to watch wrestling as a kid, so I was happy to see some of my old idols (Roddy Piper, Lex Luger and Diamond Dallas Page) chat about past experiences. They all articulate their opinions fairly well, though I think DDP does the best job of explaining how the film compares to the actual profession. As he puts it, the two mediums are an art form. Mostly everybody knows what to expect. The art is getting them to care. Well put, I’d say. I believe Mr. Page just earned himself a self-high five. I couldn’t resist. Sue me. Comments [post a comment]Comments are closed |
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Monday, March 15, 2010
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