Rourke plays Randy “The Ram” Robinson, who twenty years earlier was one of the superstars in the business. Today he is an aging man who still wrestles, but his competitions are not in the same league as his former glory days.
Staging the Matches
The wrestlers are all friends, and prior to going out into the ring, they get together and decide how they want to choreograph their match. This is the only humorous part of the film. The rest is pure drama, and a lot of blood.
Not only do the wrestlers decide how they are going to hit, grab, and throw each other, they also decide which props they are going to use on each other. Whether its throwing chairs, tables, or hitting each other with rods, they all prepare in advance for the show they are about to put on.
Using Objects and Props in Matches
And there are some other brutal objects they use on each other. A staple gun provides a lot of enjoyment for the fans, and a lot of discomfort for the wrestler on the receiving end of the staples. But these guys do what they have to do in order to keep things fresh and fun for the crowd.
The Ram is “a nice guy,” as one of his fans tells another. He is calm, level headed, and is always happy to sign an autograph for a fan. Everything he does is for his fans. But he also abuses his body besides what he does to it in the ring. The man uses drugs like they are going out of style.
The Final Match
After a heart attack sidelines him for a brief time, the only thing on his mind is how long it will be before he can return to the ring. The promoters have set a rematch between him and “The Ayatollah,” which would be the ultimate match of his lifetime reuniting him in the ring with his former friend and wrestler. Years ago these two wrestled at Madison Square Garden, and this rematch would be one for the books.
Staging the matches is part of the film. The rest has to do with how dedicated the character is to his job and his fans. All of the wrestlers are dedicated to making the matches as enjoyable as possible for themselves and the audiences. The movie is filled with drama and a fascinating performance by Rourke. He won the Golden Globe award for his performance, as well as the BAFTA Film Award and several others.
