Anyone remember 1990s-era WWF wrestling character Mankind (née Mick Foley). We stopped watching wrestling way back in the ’80s, but we’d be lying if we said we didn’t check in for a few minutes here and there in the ’90s to see just how preposterous and funny wrestling had become (ok, it’s not like it was ever something to take super seriously, but everyone’s a kid a one time).
Anyhow Mankind was this hilariously over-acting psychotic character that would wear a leathermask and act like an insane asylum patient and howl like a banshee. Apparently at one point he went on to become a three-time “world champion” (we use that term as loosely as possible). Vulture cornered Foley at a screening of Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler” (which opens up today in limited release in New York and L.A., btw).
Foley apparently starred in “Beyond The Mat,” a 1999 professional wrestling documentary which Vulture says, “ shone an unforgiving light on the physical and emotional toll that wrestling takes on its stars and their families” and had interesting parallels with the Mickey Rourke-starring film. [ed. we honestly never saw it, but it sounds good].
So to a true professional wrestler, is the film believable and credible? Will people like Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka break down in tears when they watch it? Hell yeah, Foley was sold from almost minute one.
“I walked in something of a cynic, figuring there was no way an actor could ever really get a feel for what we do without having done it. But within the first five minutes, I was completely sold. From an emotional standpoint, I found Mickey Rourke to be so believable. He made it so easy to suspend disbelief that within five minutes in the movie, I never once thought of him as being Mickey Rourke, let alone an actor. He was Randy the Ram. It was the little cues that really registered — like how he lived to get a reaction from people, even if they were just customers at the deli counter.”
What does Foley think Vince McMahon will think about it? McMahon being the current WWE chairman and from all accounts both from fake storylines and real life documentaries (the 1998 Brett Hart doc “Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows“) a seriously shady and manipulative wrestling promoter. Well?
“I personally don’t think Vince will like it, because Vince really believes in the philosophy of keeping wrestling as entertainment for the fans. And part of that is keeping up the mystique of what goes on behind the scenes. I’m not sure he would enjoy a film that shines a light on the hardships that some wrestlers go through.”
We have a friend who used to work for the WWE years ago and says they are exploited to the hilt (as if you haven’t already guessed) and says the same thing. Well, either way, there you go. Perhaps Foley’s endorsement of the film will catch on with the thousands of WWE and professional wrestling fans out there. Surely, they would really help out with “The Wreslter” at the box-office. Not to put up amazing #1 slot numbers or anything, but give it a strong boost.
Incidentally, have we all noted how Marisa Tomei seems to be eating up the critical awards right now in the Best Supporting Actress category? If one were to base it off those alone, she would be a lock for an Oscar win. As it stand now, she’s almost certainly a lock for a nomination.