Over the Couch at the Holiday Inn
by Mike Long
Eh.
Most movies are designed (that’s the best word for it, I believe) to provide a memorable experience to the audience, and characters end up being minor tools, among others, to do it. A few movies are the reverse of that: They are created exclusively to paint a portrait of a character, with the experience of movie-going narrowed to one’s reaction to the character. This is one of the definitions of the ambiguous label “arthouse.”
“The Wrestler” is that kind of movie.
“The Wrestler” is to be appreciated, as opposed to being profoundly enjoyed. It is less a story than a snapshot of a man who finds where he belongs and what his true love is in this world–at least, the only love that will love him back. What he finds is his heart; if only the picture had the heart to match.
There’s something missing here, something that could have given it the emotional yank of a “Rocky,” to name one of many more engaging similar pictures. As the wrestler of the title, Mickey Rourke is believable and real and sympathetic (mostly because he looks fat and injured). His stripper-girlfriend, played by Marisa Tomei (who takes many more serious roles than her “My Cousin Vinny” Oscar makes people think) is just as real, just as human, just as faulty and flawed. Their situation is surely a common one in professional wrestling, and the emotions we see them confront are universal.
So all the ingredients are there for a memorable picture, yet “The Wrestler” doesn’t stick with you when it’s over. It is tempting to skip over the thinking and say simply that it lacks whatever “magic” spark makes a picture special, but that’s a cop-out, so I’ll try to define what seems—to me, at least—to be wrong. Despite its realistic characters and common feelings and interesting setting, the tension in “The Wrestler” is never great or unique. There’s never anything spectacular at stake that we as the audience are invested in. And if there is no great tension, there can be no great release—and this yin and yang is the very definition of much entertainment, even at the psychological level. Think of how the I chord relieves the tension of the V chord in a song–it’s that fundamental.
“The Wrestler” has plenty of fine and interesting components, but it fails to create a tension deep enough to make me feel something when it is satisfied. Not that the picture is bad—it’s just not special. It’s like the painting in the room at the Holiday Inn. Sure, they can put it over the couch. But a whole lot of others would look just as good. Nothing unique.
Eh.
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15 Comments
Mike, I agree with your assessment. It’s an eh movie. But, it’s nice to see Rourke stretch his wings again. He had so much promise as a young actor. Years of self-abuse have given his stony face the ability to convey emotion like some of the giants of yesteryear. His wilderness years were almost worth the cost.
Maybe if you knew the story of the guy who painted that painting in the Holiday Inn you’d have more appreciation for it, bland though it may appear. I respectfully disagree with your piece. Rourke’s performance absolutely stayed with me afterward, and while the script certainly had some cliched elements (ok, a lot) it was very moving. I think the tragedy of the character’s situation s precisely the fact that he has become ordinary in a life utterly lacking in suspsnse–no longer the superstar he was, but a shlub begging for extra shifts in the supermarket. As for the tension/music analogy, I’d also argue that sometimes a quiet piece of music can be more poignant and touching than the most magnificent symphony. (Beethoven’s moonlight sonata vs. the 9th–can’t tell me the former is less beautiful because it lacks the gorgeous climax of the latter) It’s how it touches your heart and what memories and pathos are stirred. For me the movie worked far more than any of the digital wizardry/emotional pandering of “Benjamin Button” or “The Dark Knight,” which repeated their messages over and over and over in the course of the narrative. (Or even last year’s super-cliched Rocky Balboa which I enjoyed more than either) On Oscar night I’m pulling for Mickey. The battered old piece of meat did great and touched my heart. And entertained me.
I thought it was great, and the handheld camera following him as he lumbers through life really brings the viewer into the movie. Some of the scenes really stick to your ribs, like the pitiful autograph session in the legion hall. You can feel the desperation. Not the most fun I’ve had at the movies, but so much better than Benjamin Button.
When I saw it I couldn’t understand why the critics were raving about it. His character seemed like a loser to me because of the choices he made and continued to make. Blew it with his daughter just when he had a chance at reconciliation.
Blew it with the stripper.
i guess you can attribute my view to the rashomon effect
Great performance in a movie that had very little emotional resonance. Left me cold, which is how most Aronofsky movies leave me.
That being said, as a fan of professional wrestling, I loved the behind the scenes stuff — the tanning beds, the planning of the matches, and the way the guys adored Ram for his past achievements in the ring.
But in the end, I found Randy the Ram Robinson unlikable, mostly due to Aronofsky’s direction.
I saw the flipout scene in the deli coming. But he came across as the bad guy. Why? It was though the character was pushing us away.
He pissed away a relationship with his daughter (and snorted it away, and…nevermind), then begged her not to turn her back on him, saying he could change. I think this scene was the key to my reaction. I wish he had shown up, told her he was no good and that he was never going to be any damn good, and promised to leave her alone.
When a character admits flaws, I personally find that character more redeemable (see: Ewan MacGregor in Trainspotting).
Just my two cents.
Great performance, decent movie, but emotionally distant.
Your right on with your assessment of The Wrestler. I find Barfly a more engaging movie and a better performance by Mr. Rourke.
Drinks for all my friends.
I think there’s a very important message that everyone should take from this film, “Stay in School”
“The Wrestler” is about two people (Rourke and Tomei) who sell their bodies for a living and how they deal with the reality when nobody is willing to pay them for it anymore.
What it lacks is ambition. Rocky was about the drive to succeed – to overcome the obstacles. What does Rourke’s character strive for? Another round of staples to the face for a cheering crowd?
So kids – learn a lesson and stay in school. Or else you’ll end up like the characters in this movie.
I’m with Cam in saying to the “looks fat” comment. Plus I found the movie did stay with me, though I couldn’t personally relate to a single main character.
Pro wrestling features elemental characters playacting juvenile fantasies. So it is with the characters in this movie. Like mischievous boys who run away to join the circus, they do what they must so they can keep on keeping on: juicing to maintain their pneumatic muscles, cutting themselves to inspire the crowd’s blood lust, and availing themselves of the groupie perks that accompany their glimmering rock star existence. For muscle-bound Peter Pans, its a hell of a ride. The film’s greatness is that we the viewers get to ride along.
I got this from it:
“Keep going.”
Don’t lay down and die and be trampled.
Like Rourke and the character he plays, it’s about not giving up.
(I worked in a deli just like that, and was really happy to remember what I had to do to get where I am now. It made the work worth it.)
Mike, I think you should see this movie again and perhaps it will leave an impression. This is in my opinion one of the top 3 movies of the past year. Mickey Rourke is beyond sensational and deserves the Best Actor Oscar. It profiles a broken man, stripped from the fame he enjoyed 20 years ago and trying to make the best of what he has left to survive. As he works at a grocery store dealing with an abusive boss, he maintains his character until the one part whereby he realizes the only place he belongs is a ring. He knows he doesn't belong anywhere else.
Marissa Tomei looked fantastic as always. She realizes his special qualities and does what she thinks is right to try and save him. It isn't a sappy love story where they live happily ever after. Don't expect that here.
The film did leave a lasting impression on me coupled with sadness and respect for him.
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