The Wrestler is an odd document of a bygone era: the world of "kayfabe" pro wrestling. This was the time when the "sport" was "real", and wrestlers defended those statements to all outsiders. As silly as it sounds, that helped make the action more realistic and exciting, before the advent of "sports entertainment", where everything is scripted, not just the finish.
The movie features Ed Asner as the Minneapolis wrestling promoter, a part he plays well. He is completely convincing as such and is the best part of the movie. His secretary might as well have been Mary Tyler Moore, as that seems to be the intent of the casting director. The rest of the film is filled out with wrestlers of Verne Gagne's (Mike Bullard) American Wrestling Association. Stars such as the Bruiser and the Crusher, Ray Stevens, Nick Bockwinkel, Dick Murdoch and Dusty Rhodes, Billy Robinson, Lord James Blears, Superstar Billy Graham, and Eddie Graham can be seen; along with rookies like Jim Brunzell, Ken patera, Ric Flair (with brown hair!), Don Muraco, Mike Graham, and Verne's son Greg (of course).
The film features a standard ring/mobster story. Verne is Mike Bullard, the aging champ who beats all comers and isn't ready to step aside, much like the "actor" playing him. Asner is working with other promoters to create a title unification Super Bowl, something that never happened in reality, although there were a few title vs. title bouts in the late 70's and early 80's. Billy Robinson is Billy Taylor, an English wrestler who might have Bullard's number. On top of that, there are mobsters who want a cut of the action, apparently not realizing that the finishes are pre-determined and that the fans know it. They have a plan to rig the fight to clean up on bets. Not exactly Goodfellas.
The film is an odd concoction. The acting on the part of the wrestlers is pretty stiff, although a few still shine through, like Bruiser and Crusher and Murdoch and Rhodes. Asner carries the film, on the acting scale. The wrestling action, on the other hand, is first rate, with great bouts between Billy Robinson and Nick Bockwinkel, and Gagne and Robinson; plus a fun brawl with Murdoch and Rhodes and Harold "Oddjob" Sakata. The gangster subplot is ludicrous and easily dismissible, and the Bullard plot is equally clichéd. Still, there are enough unintentionally funny moments to keep your interest. The film perfectly showcases why the AWA was the first major promotion to go under, as Verne was never able to change with the times, and pushed himself over younger, more charismatic talent.
This one is pretty much only for wrestling fans, and mostly those who experienced the kayfabe era. It's a great piece of nostalgia, if not cinema.
The movie features Ed Asner as the Minneapolis wrestling promoter, a part he plays well. He is completely convincing as such and is the best part of the movie. His secretary might as well have been Mary Tyler Moore, as that seems to be the intent of the casting director. The rest of the film is filled out with wrestlers of Verne Gagne's (Mike Bullard) American Wrestling Association. Stars such as the Bruiser and the Crusher, Ray Stevens, Nick Bockwinkel, Dick Murdoch and Dusty Rhodes, Billy Robinson, Lord James Blears, Superstar Billy Graham, and Eddie Graham can be seen; along with rookies like Jim Brunzell, Ken patera, Ric Flair (with brown hair!), Don Muraco, Mike Graham, and Verne's son Greg (of course).
The film features a standard ring/mobster story. Verne is Mike Bullard, the aging champ who beats all comers and isn't ready to step aside, much like the "actor" playing him. Asner is working with other promoters to create a title unification Super Bowl, something that never happened in reality, although there were a few title vs. title bouts in the late 70's and early 80's. Billy Robinson is Billy Taylor, an English wrestler who might have Bullard's number. On top of that, there are mobsters who want a cut of the action, apparently not realizing that the finishes are pre-determined and that the fans know it. They have a plan to rig the fight to clean up on bets. Not exactly Goodfellas.
The film is an odd concoction. The acting on the part of the wrestlers is pretty stiff, although a few still shine through, like Bruiser and Crusher and Murdoch and Rhodes. Asner carries the film, on the acting scale. The wrestling action, on the other hand, is first rate, with great bouts between Billy Robinson and Nick Bockwinkel, and Gagne and Robinson; plus a fun brawl with Murdoch and Rhodes and Harold "Oddjob" Sakata. The gangster subplot is ludicrous and easily dismissible, and the Bullard plot is equally clichéd. Still, there are enough unintentionally funny moments to keep your interest. The film perfectly showcases why the AWA was the first major promotion to go under, as Verne was never able to change with the times, and pushed himself over younger, more charismatic talent.
This one is pretty much only for wrestling fans, and mostly those who experienced the kayfabe era. It's a great piece of nostalgia, if not cinema.