The Wrestler

The big recent one, Darren Aronofsky
long tracing shots from behind Rourke
use of repition with these, elliptical editing
shows monotomy of life, monotomy of situation
credit Aronofsky with long takes, which establish time passing
often use of master shot then closer; some nice moves, such as panning, static camera in convo
quite crowded framings, mild amputations, small town, small lives
medium close ups, move around a bit
generally the first sequences are the best; interesting anti-narrative of Rourke lacking goals, but being swept by events
moves a bit to ping pong, some not so good motivated actions (deli counter), and the daughter relationship is underdone but a bit fraught
largely, good simple film though
Rourke not as 'wrestler', but as honest working industry
shown to take things out of the body, physically wound
use of repition to show similarity of wrestling. deli job
show of decline of American industry with fading star/ nostalgia
not that the time was perfect; racism, Rourke seen to overcome this with forign service staff
comparison to 'Somewhere';seeimgly bizarre lifes, but symbols for a kind of no work ennui ('Somewhere' adds to this 'no play', and is visually more exciting)
nice, straightforward film