IMDb >
The Wrestler (2008)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThe Wrestler (2008) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 112 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 31) |
          |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Robert D. Siegel (written by)
Release Date:
30 January 2009 (USA)
more
Tagline:
Love. Pain. Glory.
Plot:
A faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
Another 30 wins
&
22 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(1424 articles)
Rachel Weisz Dishes on ‘Delicious’ Motherhood
(From People - CelebrityBabies. 22 November 2009, 11:00 AM, PST)
Rock stars storm the movie soundtrack world
(From The Guardian - Film News. 19 November 2009, 1:30 PM, PST)
(From People - CelebrityBabies. 22 November 2009, 11:00 AM, PST)
Rock stars storm the movie soundtrack world
(From The Guardian - Film News. 19 November 2009, 1:30 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Mickey Rourke is as great as everyone's saying he is.
more (416 total)
US TV Schedule:
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Mickey Rourke | ... | Randy |
 | Marisa Tomei | ... | Cassidy |
 | Evan Rachel Wood | ... | Stephanie |
 | Mark Margolis | ... | Lenny |
 | Todd Barry | ... | Wayne |
 | Wass Stevens | ... | Nick Volpe |
 | Judah Friedlander | ... | Scott Brumberg |
 | Ernest Miller | ... | The Ayatollah |
| Dylan Keith Summers | ... | Necro Butcher (as Dylan Summers) |
| Tommy Farra | ... | Tommy Rotten |
 | Mike Miller | ... | Lex Lethal |
 | Marcia Jean Kurtz | ... | Admissions Desk Woman |
| John D'Leo | ... | Adam |
 | Ajay Naidu | ... | Medic |
 | Gregg Bello | ... | JAPW Promoter Larry Cohen |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for violence, sexuality/nudity, language and some drug use.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
109 min
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
UK:15 |
Ireland:16 |
USA:R (certificate #44697) |
Finland:K-15 |
Australia:MA |
Portugal:M/16 |
Brazil:14 |
Singapore:R21 |
Netherlands:12 |
South Korea:18 |
Sweden:15 |
Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) |
Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) |
Argentina:16 |
Germany:12 |
Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) |
New Zealand:R16 |
Hong Kong:III |
Japan:R-15 |
Mexico:B15 |
Denmark:15 |
Austria:16 |
France:U (with warning) |
Iceland:14 |
Chile:18
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Shot in 40 days.
more
Goofs:
Boom mic visible: Shadow of mike on wall in Stephanie's living room.
more
Quotes:
Randy 'The Ram' Robinson:
Give this to your son, it's an authentic Randy "the Ram" action figure. Tell him not to lose it, it's a $300 collectors item.
Cassidy: Really?
Randy 'The Ram' Robinson: No.
more
Cassidy: Really?
Randy 'The Ram' Robinson: No.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Within the Ring (2009) (V)
more
Soundtrack:
Dangerous
more
FAQ
What is the music playing just before Bruce Springsteen's "The Wrestler"?Does this film portray professional wrestling as fake or real?
Is Stephanie a lesbian?
more
more (416 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Wrestler (2008) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Before the Devil Knows You're Dead | A History of Violence | Babel | Mysterious Skin | The People vs. Larry Flynt |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb top 250 movies | IMDb Drama section |
| IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
Nicholas Cage? Bruce Willis? Wrong. Never would have worked. No one else could have played Randy "The Ram" Robinson with the compassion and energy he brings to the role--it's painful to see the fading professional wrestler coming to terms with both his mortality and the emptiness of his life outside the ring, and this is largely due to Rourke's excellent acting. Twenty years after the defining match of his career, Randy is still a fan favorite and loving his work--until he suffers a heart attack. The film follows the gentle giant as he tries to adjust to living without wrestling, reconnect with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood), and kindle a bond with a friend who works in a strip club (Marisa Tomei).
This isn't just a film about professional wrestling, but Aronofsky gets that part right. He does a beautiful job showing the sport with realism without mocking it: he highlights the humor, but never makes fun of it. He doesn't just deconstruct the mythical image of wrestlers' performances, but he also destroys their apparent rage towards each other. It's clear that these guys are friends--they care about and respect each other. These other wrestlers in the film are all played by professionals, and they do a great job with the acting. The film respects them and their world, and demands the same from the audience.
The other supporting characters are strong as well. Tomei and Wood's characters could easily have fallen into clichés, but they give Randy some of his best moments on screen. Tomei's storyline, especially, serves as a nice parallel and contrast to Randy's. Wood's could use a little more juice, but her story arc does the same. Both are effective.
Another notable aspect of the film is its music. The character of Randy is a big '80s rock fan, and for the film, they got the rights to use Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child o' Mine." A special thanks at the end of the film went out to Axl Rose. On the softer side, Bruce Springsteen wrote "The Wrestler" for the credits, and its sweet melancholy serves as the perfect coda for the film.
Overall, 'The Wrestler' is great. It's a rich, round film that smoothly weaves together pathos and comedy and soul. It's funny and dramatic, tear-jerking and tough. Definitely a must-see this winter.