• It is an excellent film but it’s the least “aronofsky” (or tied with noah) of the aronofsky films and therefore near the bottom of his films when ranking his oeuvre- its stylistic ambitions are not that substantial (in comparison)
  • Shot in 16mm handheld
  • A subtle and nuanced film (especially for aronofsky in the subtle department)—clichéd in some ways but the execution is so perfect it transcends the clichés
  • Love the 80’s hair, hair bands
  • Heavy self-mutilation and punishment—an aronofsky auteur trait—there’s a Christ reference
  • It’s more of a Rourke (and tomei) film than a film blown aronofksy film like black swan or requiem. Those two actors are absolutely magnificent. It’s rourke’s greatest performance and tomei’s is only rivaled by her Oscar in in my cousin vinny
  • Powerfully intersects the two worlds- one of the wrestler and one of the man outside—it’s a devastating portrayal
  • One of the standout sequences is when aronofsky and the camera simulates his walk to the ring with his walk to the deli counter
  • Fringe top 10 of 2008
  • Recommend /Highly Recommend—leaning more towards highly recommend