One of the most-critically acclaimed films of the year, featured on dozens of year-end "top ten" lists and garnering numerous accolades for its once fallen star, The Wrestler debuts on Blu-ray Disc and DVD April 21 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain) directs Mickey Rourke (Sin City, Man on Fire) in a career-defining role as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a veteran performer on the professional wrestling circuit who is desperate to hold on to the fame and glory that once surrounded him. Despite himself and the odds stacked against him, "The Ram" begins to evaluate his state of life, attempting to reconnect with his estranged daughter and striking up a relationship with an exotic dancer with troubles of her own. Bruised and battered both inside and outside the ring, Randy slowly tries to piece together the life he still has; but the thrill of the show and the passion for his art threatens to take it all away from him once again.
"A film of authentic beauty and commanding consequence" (Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal), The Wrestler took home two Golden Globe awards including Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (Rourke) and Best Original Song (Bruce Springsteen) and features moving performances from Oscar** winner Marisa Tomei (In The Bedroom, My Cousin Vinny) and Golden Globe*** nominee Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen, Across The Universe). The Wrestler Blu-ray disc features exclusive bonus materials including "Within the Ring" featurette and The Wrestler music video written and performed by Bruce Springsteen. The Blu-ray Disc will be available for a suggested retail price of $39.99 U.S. A single-disc DVD will also be available for the suggested retail price of $29.98 U.S. Prebook is March 11.
*2009: Best Actor in a Leading Role; The Wrestler
**1993: Best Actress in a Supporting Role; My Cousin Vinny
***2004: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama; Thirteen
Synopsis:
Mickey Rourke gives the performance of a lifetime as pro wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a former superstar now paying the price for twenty years of grueling punishment in and out of the ring. But he's about to risk everything to prove he has one more match left in him: a re-staging of his famous Madison Square Garden bout against "The Ayatollah." Darren Aronofsky directs a powerful cast in this action-packed saga of guts, glory and gritty determination that is "as irresistible as a headlock" (New York Post).
Blu-ray Disc Specs:
The Wrestler Blu-ray Disc is presented in widescreen format 2.35:1 aspect ratio with English 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio, English and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English, French and Spanish subtitles along with Digital Copy. Individual disc bonus features as follows:
o Within the Ring featurette
o Wrestler Round Table
o The Wrestler Music Video - Written and Performed by Bruce Springsteen
Single-Disc DVD Specs:
The Wrestler single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen format 2.35:1 aspect ratio with English 5.1 Dolby Surround. Individual disc bonus features as follows:
o Within the Ring featurette
o The Wrestler Music Video - Written and Performed by Bruce Springsteen
THE WRESTLER
Street Date: April 21, 2009
Pre-book Date: March 11, 2009
Pricing: $39.99 U.S. (Blu-ray)
$29.98 U.S. (Single-Disc)
Catalog Numbers: 2257505 (Blu-ray)
2257499 (Single-Disc)
MPAA Rating: R
Feature Run Time: 109 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes
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Comment on this article
I hear this was as true as life when it comes to the wrestling world!
Many of the big stars of wrestling live in my area of Florida (Hulk Hogan and Randy 'Macho Man' Savage to name a few), and frequent the same sushi bars I do so I get to hear the woes first hand.
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