The Wrestler

Movie review by James Rocchi, Common Sense Media
The Wrestler Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 18+

Brilliant drama about rough redemption is for adults only.

R 2008 105 minutes
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Parents say

age 16+

Based on 9 reviews

Kids say

age 15+

Based on 13 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this critically acclaimed indie drama is a strong, brilliant, fierce film -- for adults only. The acting, direction, and writing are of Oscar caliber, but there's extensive nudity, unflinching violence, drinking, drug use/abuse, and swearing. The film is also moody and complex, depicting the physical and moral consequences of the characters' work as "professionals" in the economy of entertainment.

Community Reviews

christian2011
christian2011 Adult
November 20, 2012
age 17+

Very good drama about an aged wrestler's chance of redemption.

The Wrestler has to be one of Mickey Rourke's best performances. He literally brings his character, Randy "The Ram" to life in this film, and it shows his stressful daily struggles coping with his old age plus his passion for wrestling, which takes a huge turn when he abuses certain drugs to keep him fit, and the excessive heavylifting, which lands him a massive heart attack. Ever since, he's told that if he ever wrestles like he does ever again, he's literally playing Russian roulette. One time could be his last, since his mutiple heart bypass operation caused by the relentless wrestling. This movie isn't for children nor teenagers, because the violence displayed in this movie, especially for the scenes of brutal wrestling, is disturbing and graphic. One scene, you see Randy cut his forehead with a razor to bring a "bloody hit" effect in wrestling;a scene where you see him literally suffer a heart attack, vomits, and passes out in the floor; and another part where he gets mad at working in the grocery store where he cuts his hand on a ham slicer and blood gushes everywhere. Language is strong and vulgar at times, frequent uses of f**k, god**n, sh*t, b*tch, and other anatomical terms. Sexual content is strong and graphic when shown, especially one of the characters work as a stripper, where you see bare breasts and people dancing provocatively. One explicit scene shows a man thrusting into another woman in the bathroom, where you see his groin and the woman's bare breasts. The Wrestler is one of the best, well written dramas of 2008, but for your children, keep aware that this movie is HIGH on the violence, sexual content and language.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
cashed12
cashed12 Adult
July 14, 2010
age 17+

Extreme violence and graphic content makes this movie a no-gooder for kids

This movie contains graphic content,Persuasive strong language,And EXTENSIVE consumer products like Call Of Duty 4,RATT,And Polard,I rate that NO ONE under 17 can WATCH THIS MOVIE!

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 9 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In THE WRESTLER, Mickey Rourke plays professional wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson, an '80s star who's fallen from grace, reduced to working in a grocery store and taking part in low-rent, low-pay bouts on the weekends. Randy's life is changed when, after a match, he suffers a massive heart attack -- which means the end of his wrestling career. Randy reaches out to his estranged daughter, Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood), and Cassidy, (Marisa Tomei), a stripper he feels a bond with. But he also feels the pull of the ring as the 20th anniversary of his greatest bout -- with a wrestler known as "The Ayatollah" -- promises both money and glory.

Is It Any Good?

One of the best American films of 2008, The Wrestler is a brilliant, heartfelt, and unsentimental drama anchored by an incredible performance from Rourke as a washed-up athlete. Rourke's Randy relies on past glories, a part-time job at the grocery store, and massive doses of steroids to keep his bills paid and his career going. But his heart attack changes that, and Randy has to try to channel his charm and need for the spotlight into different areas of life, reaching out to Stephanie and Cassidy instead of playing to the crowd.

The Wrestler sounds intense, and it is, but it's also quite funny, thanks to the script by ex-Onion editor Rob Siegel. "I have two words to say to you, dude," a promoter pitches to Randy in anticipation of the approaching anniversary of his bout with theAyatollah: "Re. Match." Rourke is also charming, showing us a man who not only craves attention but also has a spark that makes people want to watch him, whether it's performing in the ring or dishing out cold cuts. Director Darren Aronofsky's previous films -- Pi, Requiem for a Dream, and The Fountain -- were all gorgeously shot and impressively smart. But with The Wrestler, he's working in much more emotional territory than he's explored before -- and clearly marking a new phase of his career with a film that combines the style and feel of modern European dramas with very American cultural concerns. Tough, rough, and impressive, The Wrestler's wounds and bruises hide a mighty heart.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk aboutthe nature of the "fake" violence depicted in the wrestling matches -- is it really "fake" if people are bleeding?

  • What's the appeal of professional wrestling to begin with? What makes it compelling entertainment?

  • Is it as popular now as it was in the '80s? Why or why not?

  • Discuss the similarities between Randy and Cassidy, who both make low pay selling their bodies (he wrestles, she strips). What effect does that have on their self-esteem? Their relationships with others?

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