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The Wrestler

post #1 of 23
9/4/08 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 
I've been a lifelong professional wrestling fan, and I'm happy to finally see a serious movie about wrestling coming out. It doesn't hurt that it's directed by Darren Aronofsky.

It's debuting at a few of the big film festivals and has already been screened to some critics. Mickey Rourke is said to deliver one of the greatest performances of all-time. Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood round out the cast, delivering some of their best work. The script stays true to the wrestling business. Aronofksy is more stripped down, giving us a 70's gritty style to the movie. The rock soundtrack features bands like Guns N Roses, AC/DC and Def Leppard, and an original song by Bruce Springsteen.

I can't wait for it!

http://www.thewrestlermovie.com/

~T
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post #2 of 23
9/4/08 at 7:59pm

Re: The Wrestler

Sounds good so far. 70's up to about the Hulk Hogan/Ultimate Warrior match is wrestling to me. Can't watch any of the current stuff.
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post #3 of 23
9/4/08 at 9:00pm
Thread Starter 

Re: The Wrestler

From Variety The Wrestler Movie Review - Read Variety's Analysis Of The Film The Wrestler

Quote:
An elemental story simply and brilliantly told, Darren Aronofsky's fourth feature is a winner from every possible angle

Quote:
Spare but vital, and with the increasingly arty mannerisms of Aronofsky's previous work completely stripped away, the film has the clarity and simplicity of a great Hemingway short story -- there's nothing extraneous, the characters must face up to their limited options in life, and the dialogue in Robert Siegel's superior script is inflected with the poetry of the everyday

Quote:
Not only does he pull it off, but Rourke creates a galvanizing, humorous, deeply moving portrait that instantly takes its place among the great, iconic screen performances.

From Hollywood Reporter The Hollywood Reporter

Quote:
Indie film darling Darren Aronofsky stumbled with his most recent movie, "The Fountain," but he is back on track with "The Wrestler

Quote:
Bolstered by a career-best performance from Mickey Rourke and outstanding work by Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood,

Quote:
The supporting players add to the authenticity of the atmosphere. That authenticity is the hallmark of the production, with vivid cinematography and set design.

~T
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post #4 of 23
9/5/08 at 6:03am

Re: The Wrestler

I have no interest in wrestling but I have incredible interest in Darren Aronofsky.

I'll be all over this!
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post #5 of 23
9/5/08 at 7:53am

Re: The Wrestler

I haven't been disappointed with Darren Aronofsky yet (I loved The Fountain, but that one has a hate it/love it relationship with most viewers) so I'm looking forward to this. At first I thought 'a film about wrestlers? Wtf? does Barton Fink have anything to do with it?' but dark and gritty sure seems up Aronofsky's alley.
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post #6 of 23
9/5/08 at 8:54am

Re: The Wrestler

Lifelong wrestling fan here too, but I'm a little scared of how it will portray the industry. I hope it isn't another mainstream hit job. Maybe, it'll help people understand the "sport" more in the long run. I can't wait to see it.
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post #7 of 23
9/5/08 at 9:19am

Re: The Wrestler

This looks really good. Of course, it'll never hit the theater here, so I'll just have to wait for the (hopefully) Bluray.
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post #8 of 23
9/5/08 at 1:35pm

Re: The Wrestler

Wow. I had no idea this was even coming out. I've loved everything Aronofsky has done, and being a wrestling fan on top of that... this is my most anticipated film.
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post #9 of 23
9/6/08 at 1:23pm
Thread Starter 

Re: The Wrestler

It just won the Golden Lion for best film at the Venice Film Festival. Due to winning the top prize, it wasn't eligible to win any acting awards, thus Rourke didn't win for best actor which he was heavily favored to do so.

Up next is the Toronto Film Festival.

~T
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post #10 of 23
9/8/08 at 1:38pm

Re: The Wrestler

How I despise wrestling. But with a director who is beyond bold and an actor who is long overdue a huge comeback, I am so wanting to see this one.
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post #11 of 23
9/8/08 at 4:34pm
Thread Starter 

Re: The Wrestler

Having been shown last night at Toronto, the movie continues to receive rave reviews.

Good news: Fox Searchlight has picked up the movie and plans to release it in December.

A wrestling movie at the Oscars? One of my dreams could come true.

~T
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post #12 of 23
9/9/08 at 5:48am

Re: The Wrestler

I like Aronofsky and used to be a wrestling fan. I actually trained for this stuff myself back in the early/mid90s.


What with Marisa Tomei doing so much nudity lately? Im not complaining, its just that its something she seemed to avoid years ago.
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post #13 of 23
9/11/08 at 9:45am

Re: The Wrestler

Thi,
If you want to get more info on The Wrestler, I recommend you check this website At the Movies where there's a great interview with Rourke & Aronofsky at the Venice Film Festival. You can download the vodcast (interview is 23 minutes in).

I'm also awaiting the release, even moreso after it won the "Golden Lion" at this year's Venice Film Festival.
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post #14 of 23
9/11/08 at 2:05pm
Thread Starter 

Re: The Wrestler

Thanks Stevan, but that site is only for Australians.

~T
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post #15 of 23
9/11/08 at 7:41pm

Re: The Wrestler

I saw it at TIFF and it's a very good film. Not sure it will get an Oscar nomination, but Mickey Rourke is probably a safe bet for an actor nomination.

The film had a some similarities in feel to a typical Dardenne Brothers film.
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post #16 of 23
9/16/08 at 7:20am

Re: The Wrestler

I'm totally hyped about this film. Two (recent and interesting) interviews with Aronofsky:

Toronto Interview: The Wrestler Director Darren Aronofsky « FirstShowing.net

Interview: Darren Aronofsky - Part 1 | /Film

Great that "Fox Searchlight" picked this up.
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post #17 of 23
9/17/08 at 6:18am

Re: The Wrestler

Some comments from James B here. Will prob get a full review soon.

Welcome to ReelThoughts!
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post #18 of 23
11/20/08 at 3:31pm

Re: The Wrestler

Trailer!

Apple - Movie Trailers - The Wrestler
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post #19 of 23
11/20/08 at 6:37pm

Re: The Wrestler

That is a fantastic trailer. I'm thrilled Aronofsky didn't pull another half-decade wait I'll be at this one opening day!
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post #20 of 23
11/20/08 at 9:00pm
Thread Starter 

Re: The Wrestler

Looks really great. And the Springsteen song sounds great, too.

It's released on 12/17, but probably won't go wide until January.

~T
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post #21 of 23
11/22/08 at 8:15am

Re: The Wrestler

Great trailer. Can't wait to see it!
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post #22 of 23
11/23/08 at 10:39pm
Thread Starter 

Re: The Wrestler

Previously pushing for a Mickey Rourke nod at the Academy Awards, it seems as though Fox Searchlight is now campaigning this movie for several Academy awards including Best Picture, which they had previously been pushing Slumdog Millionaire for. It's been receiving incredible reception from industry screenings with turnout overflowing and standing ovations.

IMDB currently is an 8.8 rating and Rotten Tomatoes is 100%.

~T
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post #23 of 23
11/24/08 at 6:29am

Re: The Wrestler

Saw the trailer for the first time yesterday in front of Slumdog Millionaire yesterday with a packed house in Evanston, Illinois. It seemed to go over real well with the audience. This has been on my "can't wait" list for a while now and the trailer cemented that status.
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