Rating: 10/10

Quite a while after the screening of THE WRESTLER I still find that the film seeping into my mind has become a daily occurrence. I have seen film twice and have watched the trailer, which is practically a cliff notes version of the film itself, well past the double digit mark but I still can't stop thinking about this tragic film that perfectly displays the quiet beauty of a beaten-down soul's refusal to go down without a fight. The inability to simply move on from THE WRESTLER makes the effectiveness of the film clear, while also making it clear that this is the best film of the year (Sorry DARK KNIGHT, while you are great, you just can't beat this much heart).

THE WRESTLER's emotionally and physically scarred hero is Randy ‘The Ram' Robinson, who was a popular wrestler of Hulk status in the eighties. The spotlight has long faded for Randy as he now splits his time not between luxurious homes and hotels, but instead between his old van and his trailer - depending on if he has enough money to pay the trailer's rent that month. The Ram still wrestles but on a much smaller scale, playing bingo and banquet halls for die-hard wrestling fans that still love to see The Ram "doing his thing". The Ram makes a little money for his efforts, but you know it's not about the money for The Ram, but the way he feels when he is in the ring as the pain momentarily fades and the crowd chants his name. The other way our protagonist makes money is a part time job unloading freight for local retail store. It's not glamorous, but it's surviving, and this is what that makes THE WRESTLER so moving; the fact that Randy is still there despite life peaking for him long ago. You never hear Randy ask, why me? Or try to blame others for his current situation, even though it’s obvious that people have taken advantage of the good-natured Randy; he simply takes his licks, dusts himself off, and tries to do the best he can.

At one point things start to seem less bleak for Randy. It seems that a romantic relationship between The Ram and an over-the-hill stripper named Cassidy (Marissa Tomei) could be forming, and he might be able to reconnect to his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood). The scene where Rourke as The Ram apologizes for never being there for his daughter is incredibly well-acted and honest making you want to scream at the screen "I forgive you, Randy". The rest of what happens is just what’s needed to set up the film's fitting poetic tribute to all The Ram's out there.

The Ram is played by Mickey Rourke in a performance that goes well past amazing. One could write a whole review on Rourke's performance, going through the parallels between Rourke's life and that of the Ram's. Could Rourke have put in such an amazing performance had he not made so many questionable career moves that left this once hot and greatly talented actor on the outs with Hollywood? Who knows, but either way he did, and now Rourke is responsible for the best performance of the year - not acting the role of The Ram but rather living it and never going for flash when he knows less is more.

Director Darren Aronofsky whose last film THE FOUNTAIN was a well-shot, self-indulgent P.O.S. shows that he wasn't just a two-hit wonder with PI and REQUIEM FOR A DREAM. Aronofsky is definitely capable of the visual fireworks, but appropriately plays it low-key with THE WRESTLER letting the very real souls of THE WRESTLER be what captures the audience's attention, not the man behind the camera. Aronofsky never lets himself get in the way of the story he is there to tell.

Here it is, my WRESTLER review. It's over, and now that's all left to say is go see this film and get ready to root for The Ram as he continually tries to find his way.