The Wrestler

I wasn't 100% whether I should be posting this thread in the 'wrestling' section or the 'film thread' section but I'll post it on here and someone can move it if they so wish too.

Just wanted others opinions on the film 'The Wrestler' starring Mickey Rourke. Been searching through a few websites and it seems to be getting very good reviews across the board. Also, I have read that the likes of Vince McMahon, Bret Hart and Mick Foley all highly rate the film with Roddy Piper even supposedly crying to the director after he had watched it.

I also see that there are a few proper wrestlers in the film which is good to see, the likes of Ron Killings, Claudio Castagnoli, Nigel McGuiness, Jay Lethal, Necro Butcher, Robbie E, Cat Stevens all playing parts.

Is it worth the watch?
What are your views on the film?

if it on tv ill watch it,

very entertaining

It's a good film. I highly recommend it.

I wasnt sure about the ending:

Spoiler:

I absolutely loved it. It's one of those films that will move you, regardless of whether you're into wrestling or not. The dichotomy of a man living two entirely separate scenarios is amazing. His struggle to re-connect with his daughter is superbly directed and will move even the most hardened alpha male...my self included! The wrestling scenes and the locker room scenes are also done very very well and give a true insight into the way some of these guys are living their lives and clinging on to their careers.

I think you've probably guessed that I'm going to recommend it by now! Haha, seriously though, really worth a watch.

It was a brilliant film, and very touching throughout. It did get rave reviews and rightly so, I think it picked up some Oscar nominations too.

It doesn't detail so much about the wrestling industry, rather focuses on the lead character, but the wrestling and locker room scenes were enjoyable.

It got loads of Oscar noms but lost out on every one to Slumdog Millionaire. The Wrestler was much better as a film though, I thought.

I thought it was an excellent film, offered much more than I thought it would do and would recommend it to anybody

i think the best bit that sums it up is the scene after the hardcore match vs necro butcher.

Yeah I enjoyed it, It does offer an intresting insight into the life of guys who cant let go

Sounds a cracking film, it's floating about Amazon/Play just now for a couple of quid. I'll definitely be buying it now.

Does it show a lot of the backstage stuff? It's what I am most interested in learning about!

yeah it shows backstage , him buying drugs from other guys injecting himself with it and being stitched up etc...

Not loads, and mostly front end. But what is shown is cool, and it accepts the audience is likely smart to the whole thing.

Yeah it's a bargain for the price it's at now. I bought it when it came out and it was a cracking buy then. It is a bit slow at times and the ending is a bit weird. But still worth a watch and Rourke really involves himself, he even has a match against Necro Butcher in the film which is one of the highlights

Great film.

I'd give it 7 out of 10. It's a good film but not outstanding. The wrestling scenes I thought were not very enjoyable and not typical of most fallen stars (there are very few "name" wrestlers who do the graphically violent stuff).

Vince McMahon apparently hated it on first viewing. It was only when the movie became a success that he decided to take advantage of it. Why on earth would he like the film?! It's just about the most damning depiction of the industry where he is king.

Hobo, I don't think the ending was crucial to the film, therefore it was left to the viewer to wonder about the outcome.

Its worth watching just for the hardcore match he has about half way in and the doctor is pulling glass and barbwire out of him afterward, looks sore!!!

VDT wrote:Its worth watching just for the hardcore match he has about half way in and the doctor in pulling glass and barbwire out of him afterward, looks sore!!!

Are you Barry Norman?

Watched it and throughly enjoyed it. It was good seeing a few scenes where they were in the locker room pre show.

Are the discussions about the spots/how the match will go as in depth as they are in the film in an actual match?

The Necro Butcher match is brutal!