Saturday, January 17, 2009

The Wrestler

The Wrestler was a great movie. Even if you don't enjoy wrestling you'll appreciate this movie. Mickey Rourke does a fantastic job as Randy the Ram, a washed up wrestler who still thinks he's got that one big match left in him. You watch someone who has to slowly come to terms with the best part of his life is over with. At one time he had thousands of fans now he's just a mere shell of his former self. He can't let go of the past and can't accept that his career is slowly dying. Some webcomic artists suffer the same fate. They are past their prime. At one time they were juggernauts and now they watch as their fan base slowly deteriorates. But instead of accepting reality that they are past their prime they continue to hold onto their past success somehow convincing themselves it's all going to be alright. How'd it turn out for Randy the Ram?
One of the best scenes from the movie was when Randy was at the autograph signing pawning his stuff. This reminded me of some artists who are in their twilight hawking their marques and shirts with that 'one last sale' 'limited number' or 'half price clearance sale never to be printed again.' There is just something sad about that. Desperate. Like they know it's almost over but they hang on by their fingernails trying to get that last nickle.

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