So Mickey Rourke didn’t win the Oscar for Best Actor for “The Wrestler,” but perhaps he wins the honor for Best Jesus Performance of 2008? In the fascinating, insightful article “Pop-Eye: Meat The Wrestler,” by Brent Plate, Plate wonders the following:
“How did reviewers from the New York Times to Christianity Today miss the obvious religious references in this Oscar-nominated hit? Did they blink and reach for popcorn at the images of a tattooed Jesus Christ on Randy’s back, or was it more about the myth of modern individualism and body-soul dualism?”
And then compares Rourke’s performance as the battered, broken, Randy “The Ram” Robinson to that of Jesus in Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ,” and Cassidy (Marissa Tomei) as the only one who truly sees the savior in her beaten down husband:
“Cassidy sees Jesus as a real wrestler, showing both her investment in the fiction of the violence, but equally her invested belief in Randy as a tough dude. Theirs is a physical Jesus, a body that could take it, á la Gibson’s Christ; unlike Gibson, Aronofsky’s tale is disinvested of tacky teardrops falling from the sky and cheap-trick resurrections.”
With this in mind, is it possible that Aronofsky’s Wrestler-Jesus somehow bests Gibson’s “Real” Jesus? What do you think? Post your comments below.
posted February 25, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Mickey Rourke did an outstanding job of portraying a soul sold to the devil. Rourke’s character wanted fame at all costs. In the end he was left with nothing but a broken down body full of ailments, and grasping for any remnants of fame. He turned his back on any chance of love. I see no Jesus comparison.
posted February 25, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Check out my review:
http://www.ethicsdaily.com/news.php?viewStory=13623
posted March 4, 2009 at 6:48 pm
There is definitely a comparison and contrast to be made between Randy “The Ram” and Jesus in “The Passion of Christ”. And it is my belief that Aronofsky did this on purpose. Tomei’s character mentions it and soon after we watch a scene where Randy is being mutilated with barbed wire, nails… The contrast is that Randy is sacrificing his body for the entertainment of people, unlike Jesus who sacrificed his body for the sins of the people. We should not assume that Randy is Jesus, it is a reference and not a direct comparison. Now honestly, who could compare to Jesus?
posted May 2, 2009 at 7:09 pm
ummm…I just saw THE WRESTLER and the comparisons to Jesus Christ are obvious throughout the film. Come on! The final image of the film is “The Ram” assuming the “Jesus on the cross” position! Arms outstretched with a beam of light shining behind him! Not to mention the tattoo of Christ on his back, the humanizing of a woman who has objectified herself and playing with children in the streets.
It’s quite possible Aronofsky’s concept for the film was something along the lines of “the life of Jesus”. However, I have to say that Mel Gibson’s THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST has absolutely nothing to do with it. Come on guys, that’s like basing a production of Romeo and Juliet on West Side Story. The reason the character Pam references THE PASSION is b/c it lets the audience “in” on the concept whilst showing us that Pam’s only spiritual reference is a cheesy, Hollywood, Mel Gibson movie.
Pam is Mary Magdalene. The Ram is Jesus. It’s a re-telling of the biblical story. Not some frickin’ movie. But if you’re looking for a Hollywood reference. Check out THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST. Way better than THE PASSION.