I just got done reading a October 14th draft of Robert Siegel’s The Wrestler, which is being brought to the screen by Darren Aronofsky, the filmmaker behind Pi, Requiem For A Dream and The Fountain.
Before I go any further, let me first give you a little background: I use to be a hardcore professional wrestling fanatic. Before I created /Film, in an earlier life, I ran one of the first pro wrestling news sites on the internet, called WrestleNet.com. I mainly enjoyed the interesting behind the scenes politics. I was a junkie, I loved hearing about everything and anything that was behind the scenes.
It’s actually a very interesting world, far more interesting than the stuff you see in front of the camera. And I’ve always believed that this world would be the perfect place to tell a great story. But until now every movie that has been made around the wrestling has treated the sport, the people involved in it, and the fans that love it with much disrespect (go watch Ready to Rumble for a prime example). Barry Blaustein’s documentary Beyond The Mat is one of the only films to do it right. And off the top of my head, I can’t think or a fictional film that even does it half right. So that brings us to The Wrestler.
A fan asks Randy “The Ram” Robinson to sign an old 80’s era poster while reminiscing about seeing his first wrestling match, Robinson vs. Davey Diamond at the Spectrum. “You were awesome,” the fan tells Randy. WERE being the key word.
Robinson is an aging professional wrestler has been. Imagine someone who was once on the level of Jake the Snake Roberts or The Iron Sheik, selling out Madison Square Garden in the 70’s and 80’s, and now works shifts at the Shop-Rite supermarket to make some extra cash, in between weekend independent wrestling shows on the weekend in front of a couple hundred people in High School gymnasiums and the occasional sad autograph show. This is not Hulk Hogan. Robinson finds himself living in a van after being locked out of his junk-filled trailer by his landlord.
Robinson’s hardcore match against Hellbilly Cannibal (whose description makes him sound like a cross between Cactus Jack and Terry Funk) at an ECHW (East Coast Hardcore Wrestling, an obvious homage to ECW) show might be his biggest payday in years ($300), but when the wrestling legend suffers a heart attack during the bout, a doctor tells him that he needs to make some changes if he wants to live much longer. This includes no smoking, no cocaine and… no more wrestling.
Lonely and depressed, Randy makes friends with a 36-year-old tattooed stripper named Cassidy (who quotes from Passion of The Christ: “It’s, like, so inspiring,” she explains), and starts working weekend shifts at the deli-counter at the Shop-Rite.
Cassidy, real name Pam, convinces and helps Randy reconnect with his estranged 22-year-old daughter Stephanie, who is also a recovering alcoholic. Randy was (of course) the father that was never there (I know, cliche, but this is one of the few in this story). Meanwhile there are some funny Clerks-ish type scenes at the Deli-counter, which includes a run-in with the meat slicer. Randy confesses his feelings for/to Pam, who resists.
Refusing to listen to the doctor’s orders, Randy gets the urge and books a match at a Fanfest event in Greenville South Carolina. And not just any match, a rematch against The Ayatollah (an Iron Sheik type, now age 52), who Robinson fought 20 years ago at 1988 WrestleSlam IV, in front 20,000 people and another million and a half at home on pay-per-view. But this isn’t pay-per-view, this is a small indie event in front of 700 fans. It’s a suicidal match for little glory.
What happens? Does Randy die? Does Cassidy realize her feelings for him? At this point does he even care? I really don’t want to spoil it. I will say this, the match is almost fully choreographed step by step over the corse of seven full script pages. Think Rocky, which is a very apt comparison. And the ending is something you would never expect. It’s not an obvious choice. I’m sure some people will leave this movie really angry, while others will love it. One thing is for sure, I can’t wait to see it on the big screen.
Aronofsky knows how to tell a story cinematically, and is sure to bring a lot to this project. Nicolas Cage was originally attached to the film as Randy, but mysteriously left the project during preproduction. When I originally reported this news bit, I was more than a little worried for the project. But after having read the screenplay, I can happily reveal that Cage was clearly a horrible choice for this role. Sure, his name value might have helped the box office or release size, but Mickey Rourke is a perfect fit. In fact, I can’t think of a better actor to take on this part. I also can’t wait to hear who Aronofsky hires to play Cassidy and Stephanie.
I do wonder if Aronofsky will reteam with composer Clint Mansell on this project. Mansell has done the score for all of Aronofsky’s films so far (including the epic Requiem score which has been reused in numerous trailers and commercials). I mention this because there is a lot of music written into the script, which is very unusual. The musical cues written throughout include: Def Leppard’s (Rock Rock), Cinderella (Don’t Know What You Got and Fire and Ice), Great White (Once Bitten Twice Shy), AC/DC (Back in Black, If You Want Blood), Motley Crue (Girls Girls Girls), Def Leppard (Pour Some Sugar On Me), Warrent (Cherry Pie), Guns ‘N Roses (Get In The Ring), Black Crowes (Hard to Handle), Skid Row (I Remember You), Khia, Pitbull, Celtic Frost, and Lil’ Kim. There is also a hilarious conversation at a bar about how Kurt Cobain ruined music and kick ass 80’s music.
I’ve read a lot of screenplays, and many of them are unreadable. You’re lucky if you can make it to page #10 without losing interest.
The Wrestler treats professional wresting with a respect and realism unseen previously in fictional films… Wrestlers talk through their match in the makeshift backstage (aka The cafeteria) and common in the ring practices like Blading (using a razor blade to open a gash on forehead) are seamlessly worked into the script.
If you search the internet, you will find compilations of slang words which are used behind the scenes in the wrestling lifestyle (from “mark” to “ringrat” to “pop” to “heel”). I once heard that the lingo was something that wrestling adopted from its carney days. Siegel has done his research. These terms are integrated into the dialogue without sounded inserted (something I find all the time on tv - Chuck for example has a lot of geek references, but they are inserted into the dialogue, and the show sometimes feels like actors reading a script, because no real geek would ask his friend “Do you want to go play Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare?” Siegel gets all the details right. At one point Randy collects a $5 bill from a fan at an autograph show and puts it into his FANNYPACK! Any real wrestling fan knows that wrestlers and old people vacationing at Disneyland are the only people who wear fannypacks.
Other wrestling characters featured in the story include: Randy’s friend Lex Lethal (a play on Lex Lugar), a big black wrestler in full pimp gear named Booker D (a play on Booker T), and Shawn McPride. Oh, and a couple sleazy promoters also make appearances.
The screenplay also deals with drug abuse, including steroids, which will likely prevent future cross promotion from the WWE or any other major wrestling promotion.
Darren Aronofsky starts production on The Wrestler in January 2008.
December 12th, 2007 at 6:09 am
I’m intrigued. Where can I get my hands on the screenplay? It’s not on SimplyScripts.
December 12th, 2007 at 11:27 am
This sounds like an interesting story and I love Aronofsky but… I don’t know. I’m not really into wrestling AT ALL. Will this be the type of movie only for wrestling fans or will it reach out to a broader audience?
December 12th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Looking sarah, back at my review, I think I went at it more from the view of the potential wrestling fan, so that doesn’t surprise me. But let me reassure you, this story is great. If you liked Rocky or Rocky Balboa, you will have no problem getting into this film. The world of story is interesting because its been kept off screen, which makes the story that much more refreshing.
December 12th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Holy Hell, this sounds awesome. I am sold on the stoopid soundtrack a lone - Celtic Frost and Great White and Pitbull?
How dark is the script? The review didn’t touch on tone - though the comparisons to Rocky Balboa make it seem like a serious flick. We’ve seen how DA handles drugs (the horror!), so I’m guessing this is going to be a pretty brutal flick - the main character is on dire straits. Is the tone similar to something like “Wild at Heart” - a dark, kinetic comedy?
One question: so the winner of the fights in this wrestling world are pre-decided a la the real world? Just wondering how they can milk drama out of that - Rocky’s fights were “real.”
December 12th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
on the topic of chuck, the two main characters ad lib almost any of the ‘geek’ references in the show and are both huge gamers. so you are a bit off mark there.
December 12th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
kevin: Most of my friends are gamers, and I have NEVER heard anyone of them refer to a game with the full title and subtitle. Instead of “Wanna play Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” most people I know would say say “Wanna play Call of duty?” or maybe even something more politically incorrect like “Wanna kill some terrorists” or whatever. I also remember in the first episode Chuck said “I use to play Zork on TRS80″ or something like that. It was another example of a great geek reference, handled badly within the dialogue.
December 13th, 2007 at 6:42 am
I’m not a wrestling fan, and I have a pretty strong aversion to boxing films. But DA is my favorite writer/director working today, so just the fact that he’s directing something he didn’t write is a little scary. I know this review was about the script, but did the script ever give you the feeling you were in an Aronofsky film? His first three were a sort of trilogy, so I can understand his wanting to break away from those viscerally daunting films; as well as Clint Mansell.
December 13th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Hey Pete, you’ve got me sold on it.
Though I’ve got to admit, as much as a good, serious, gritty account of the life of a past it pro wrestler interests me ( a LOT ), I was initially pretty disappointed that this is causing the delay of DA’s THE FIGHTER. A project that I’ve been excited about since it was first announced several months back.
Being a lifelong rabid boxing fan, with Mickey Ward being one of my all time fav fighters & REQUIEM FOR A DREAM being one of my all time fav films, how could I NOT be excited? But, I understand scheduling conflicts forced DA to flip flop the filming of the two films, which is OK by me as long as the he doesn’t find himself no longer interested in doing the boxing film after he finishes THE WRESTLER. You know, if he finds the stories and/or themes too similar for him to do back to back. Only in that case would I be really pissed that he chose to shoot THE WRESTLER first.
As far as THE WRESTLER’s script is concerned, it sounds terrific. As a fan of the pro wrestling scene’s backstage drama & inner workings as well, the script sounds like the fictional companion piece to BEYOND THE MAT that has been screaming to be created for years now.
No silly attempt at trying to sell the wrestling as real, apparently no over the top motivation for a real grudge between Robinson & The Ayatollah that results in them making the match a shoot or something. Which impresses the hell out of me.
With DA at the helm, this should be a great film. And you’re right, Cage would’ve been a disaster IMO. Rourke is just about perfectly cast in the role IMO.
Peace.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Evan Rachel Wood has been hired to play Stephanie.
I haven’t heard about Cassidy yet.
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:40 am
I can’t wait for all of this to go down! I’ve been into all the in’s and out’s of wrestling since childhood. Even done the backyard thing and suffering because of . But I still love it anyway. Looking forward to seeing all Feb. 8 & 9!!!!!
January 28th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Ya know…this sounds a lot like the life and times of a certain ECW wrestler..one we know as the franchise Shane Douglas.
February 3rd, 2008 at 9:44 am
I was at the filming this past weekend in Hasbrouck Heights and it was a blast. I overheard some crew members saying that they never had so much fun making a film before. Between that and seeing your review, I cannot wait to see this movie (and not just to see if I made the final cut!).
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:18 pm
@ heather
you were at the wxw event in the pioneer club? im glad u had fun. dont forget to tell your friends about the movie!!!!
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
abc123,
Yep, I was the sole female in the “rowdy section” at ringside. And don’t worry, I’ve already been spreading the word.
February 6th, 2008 at 7:15 am
I was there on Friday night…what a trip. Mickey looked good, funny guy. His stunt double looked good, does anyone know who he is?
February 6th, 2008 at 7:18 am
I heard Cassidy was being played by Marissa Tomei, excuse the spelling.
February 7th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
According to what I’ve read, Kid USA (a Northeast indy guy) is Mickey’s stunt double.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
i read the script as well and it’s terrible. it doesn’t treat the business with respect - it uses every tired cliche i’ve seen elsewhere (you point out the fannypacks, but only a few of the old school guys wear those anymore), Siegel uses the terms incorrectly (none of the boys ever say “ringrats” - they say “rats”) and there are plenty of technical problems (the opponent says “is there a doctor?” to the crowd instead of the ref throwing up the X). I thought it was a sloppy, poorly researched script with too much lazy writing.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I read the script as well and I agree with Mentalground0…the script is awful. It’s completely cliched down to the stripper girlfriend. Do you want a real script? Have Ram dating a valet or female wrestler. The industry language is wrong…fans call them “ring rats”, not the guys. There is also an incorrect use of “pop” later on. In addition, the scene where Ram is legitimately hurt seems to be written by someone who fell for “a work” at some point. A real injury would never go down like that in the ring.
I wish someone out there, preferably an insider, could actually paint a real, respectful picture of wrestling and what the guys actually go through on a show by show basis.
I hope Aronofosky can work a miracle…and if he’s reading this, please get a legitimate insider to fix the script.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Being the WIFE of a wrestler, I disgaree with both MoreInsideThanOutside & mentalground0. You two are coming across as a couple of smarks who think you know more than you actually do. Most of the guys I know (my husband included) refer to the groupies as “ringrats.” “Throwing up the X” is a WWe thing, not an indy wrestling thing. And although I WAS a former valet who dated and then married my charge, most wrestlers date girls who have absolutely NOTHING to do with the wrestling business.
Step away from the bright lights, smoke, and mirrors of “the E” and educate yourselves on indy wrestling… if you can “lower” yourself to do so.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Married to the bizness…I am IN the biz. I have read the script as well and auditioned for a part. Mentalground0 and MoreInsideThanOutside are right in that it is a pretty bad script.
In addition, ROH IS an indy organization that utilizes the X when a wrestler is hurt. I can also say that in every organization I wrestle in, rats are rats, not ring rats. Only fans call females rats where I’ve been (mostly east coast and Japan).
I’ve dated valets but I’ve mostly dated women who are completely outside of the biz. Never a stripper. I think MITO’s point was that a normal woman would have been more realistic in general and if you have to go with someone in showbiz, why not a valet or woman wrestler instead of falling back on the tired old stripper cliche.
It sounds like you’re the one on a high horse when the previous posters have actually read the script and you’re just working on assumptions. Just because you’re married to a wrestler doesn’t mean you know everything about every organization everywhere.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Just because you’re married to a wrestler doesn’t mean you know everything about wrestling. My husband is a firefighter, and while I do know how to put out a fire I do not know every nuance of his job.
Sounds like you’re the smark one around here.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
married to the bizness: i am also married to someone in the business on the indy level, so i think i know what i’m talking about. plus, i’m a writer, so i know a terrible, hackneyed plot when i read one. and i believe we’re on the internet and in america, where people are allowed to have their own opinions and ideas and be able to agree or disagree with people in a reasonable and articulate fashion and not just attack someone because we don’t agree with their point of view. so i think the script stinks, you may have another opinion and we can agree to disagree, so really there’s no reason for a personal attack.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Wow the movie looks great. My pal is in the ring of Honor. I am his # 1 fan. I don’t know a lot about wrestling as a lot of other people do. My uncle knows C.M. punk as I do to. I want to see the movie when it comes out.