The Wrestler - Why's Life Gotta Be So Tough?

 (2008) ★★★★☆

You know what's going on in and out of the ring, don't you? They fake it, that's for certain, but they do have to take some pain and shed some blood at times so as to better entertain the audience. Whatever, the thing is, their life could've been a messup had they found their pride and glory only inside the ring.

Randy 'The Ram' (Mickey Rourke), a retiring professional wrestler, is still struggling to make ends meet, while a faded stripper (Marisa Tornei) seems to be his only heartfelt company, and his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) hates him at her doorway. He's so old that he has to wear reading glasses and a hearing aid; so outdated that he still plays Nintendo classic arcade games while other kids are into Call Of Duty 4. He can't seem to get rid of the shadow of his past glory yet. And that's what makes his life so pathetic now. What'd you do if you found it hard to fit in the reality? How'd you feel if your daughter said you were a fuckup and told you to fuck off? Sympathy would sure rise within while watching this film. I almost cried when he said to his daughter things like 'I'm the one who's supposed to make things okay for everybody...', and asked for her forgiveness for what he had done wrong over the years.

You may wonder why life has to be so tough for such an old man. But I guess instead you should be asking: how could he keep escaping and not face the music? How could he miss the appointment with his daughter, probably the only one left in the world to care about him, just because he got high and fucked some chick the night before? How could he still live in his dream as his prime time has blatantly passed?

He has no choice but to wrestle on till his heart stops beating. He can't stop, coz what seems to give his life a meaning are the audience out there, and the show he's been putting on for them and himself; coz of the cruel reality he can't cope with, 'the world don't give a shit about me'. Well, you know what, you gotta give a shit about yourself before the world gives a shit about you!

Here's the song for 'The Ram' to feel better. Lovely.

The Wrestler, by Bruce Springsteen

Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free

If you've ever seen a one trick pony then you've seen me

Have you ever seen a one legged dog makin' his way down the street

If you've ever seen a one legged dog then you've seen me

(Then you've seen me) I come and stand at every door

(Then you've seen me) I always leave with less than I had before

(Then you've seen me) bet I can make you smile when the blood it hits the floor

Tell me friend can you ask for anything more

Tell me can you ask for anything more

Have you ever seen a scarecrow filled with nothing but dust and weeds

If you've ever seen that scarecrow then you've seen me

Have you ever seen a one armed man punchin' at nothing but the breeze

If you've ever seen a one armed man then you've seen me

(Then you've seen me) I come and stand at every door

(Then you've seen me) I always leave with less than I had before

(Then you've seen me) bet I can make you smile when the blood it hits the floor

Tell me friend can you ask for anything more

Tell me can you ask for anything more

These things that have comforted me I drive away (anything more)

This place that is my home I cannot stay (anything more)

My only faith is in the broken bones and bruises I display

Have you ever seen a one legged man tryin' to dance his way free

If you've ever seen a one legged man then you've seen me