Darren Aronofsky is a good filmmaker, there isn't much debate about that. His usual subject of choice is about hopeless characters and their spiral down into insanity. Requiem for a Dream, for example, while a good film, is a piece I can only watch a handful of times over several years. I saw the trailers for The Wrestler, though, and thought it might be a departure from his usual stuff. I was wrong, but I still think it's his best film yet.
The story takes place in New Jersey (where all good stories take place, consequently) and revolves around dried up professional wrestler Randy "the Ram" Robinson. He's a kind hearted but rough living man who is estranged from his daughter and his closest relationship is with a stripper that he frequents on most weekends. His life is in the wrestling ring, but when he suffers a heart attack he's told he can never perform again. Like most of Aronofsky's characters, he's a tragic hero, and his path doesn't necessarily lead him to a happily ever after.
This is another film that's chosen to shoot prodominantly with a handheld camera. The look makes it feel like a documentary and that you are actually following this guy around through his daily life. It makes everything more gritty, but also more painful to watch when you feel like you're in the room when he has his heart broken several times throughout the movie. The world of the working man (and woman) is dripping from this film in a way that can only be found in rural New Jersey. It's dramatic, sad, heartfelt, but real.
And one non-surprise that seems so to everyone else is Mickey Rourke's acting. When I saw him playing bit roles I always thought him a competant actor. I only thought that this film allowed him the scale to play a really well developed character and even work some of his personal demons out on set. He does a great job on this flick and I think he deserves all the accolades he receives for it.
Like I said, I was expecting a more uplifting tale, but I suppose I should have known better. He also isn't afraid to make you feel very uncomfortable watching people's lives falling apart. The Wrestler isn't Darren Aronofsky breaking new ground, but improving on the real estate he's already got. Considering the times, he paints a human face on the life of an over the hill pro wrestler, warts and all.