Raheem Nubin
March 27, 2014
Film and Pop Culture Studies
Dr. Michael Walonen
The Wrestler
According to makeindependentfilms.com an independent film that’s funds are less than half from one of the big six major film studios; such as MGM and UA, 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures/Touchstone Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios. Independent films are uniquely created by the film’s creator and usually has much less of a budget than a major motion film. In my opinion an Indie film show cases the creator’s creativity with their own signature editorial style and direction in the movie.
The Wrestler is an independent film follows the life of Randy “The Ram” Robinson a well-known retired wrestler who is urged to continue living his glory days of his wrestling career. Now a retired pro-wrestler who now works part-time as a wrestler on weekends and supermarket attendant who despite has heart problems and far past his prime still wants to wrestle despite his physical condition. The film references to labor in 21st century in America is represented by Robin not wanting to do the common man job (Working the 9-5) but living the commercialized American dream as a pro-wrestler. In addition to his rematch with “The Ayatollah” he injects himself with steroids to increase his training, and that is common in America. Despite his near death heart attack Randy still stops at nothing, after rescheduling his match with his opponent after Cassidy does tells him pleads him not to after a customer ignited him to go on a rampage while he was working after recognizing him despite rejecting his recognition. While wrestling the Ayatollah, Randy starts to feel chest pain but rejects The Ayatollah’s command to leave the ring. While performing his signature move, he ‘salutes’ the crowd on last time before the film ends. In my opinion he is driven by popularity and receiving the praise of the crowd and is willing to go to the extremes even if it means killing himself literally, because the ‘ring’ is what gives him life in my opinion.
