Beyond the Mat

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Beyond the Mat

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Beyond the Mat

Vince McMahon, Darren Drozdov, Roland Alexander, Tony Jones, Michael Modest

At first, this behind-the-scenes documentary about professional wrestling seems as if it will be an unabashed fan's whitewash of the increasingly bizarre and popular world of "sports entertainment," a...( read more  read more... )s it is known. But director Barry Blaustein (a Saturday Night Live veteran who has cowritten many of Eddie Murphy's films) goes much deeper than you'd expect in a film that is at once entertaining and disturbing. By focusing on a trio of wrestlers who give him surprising access, Blaustein uncovers human stories that can be wrenching in their stark honesty. That's particularly true of one-time superstar Jake "the Snake" Roberts, whose career has fallen on hard times because of a crack habit; Roberts brings Blaustein along for his first encounter in several years with his grown, estranged daughter. Blaustein also goes into the lives of Terry Funk and Mick "Mankind" Foley in ways that are both revealing and, at times, upsetting. More than just a fan's appreciation, this is that rare documentary that shows you sides of a familiar subject you never knew existed. --Marshall Fine

Id: 10899669

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Recent Reviews

Beyond the Mat Recent Reviews
  • YosemiteSamFan
    August 4, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    A gritty and interesting look at life behind the wrestling scenes.
  • Collegekid
    December 3, 2006
    Collegekid
    Unique concept, bad movie.
  • BlueTorch
    May 21, 2006
    BlueTorch
    There's something here for both fans and non-fans. Both a study of the wrestling business and an intriguing human character protrayal.
  • djkynky1
    March 31, 2009
    djkynky1
    Wrestling is NOT fake. It IS Scripted/Pre Determined. do with that what you will.
  • cacutshaw
    February 8, 2008
    cacutshaw
    As a fan of wrestling, I found this doc incredible. It's a fascinating look into the folks who chose to wrestle for a living and their trials and tribulations. I've recommended this to people who hate wrestling and they've enjoyed it as well.
  • ahhh1989
    October 27, 2009
    ahhh1989
    Shocking, groundbreaking, heartwrenching, disturbing, and incredibly clarifying. It's a serious must-see, for fans and for non-fans alike!
  • dukeakasmudge
    October 25, 2009
    dukeakasmudge
    When this 1st came out in the theater I was the very 1st 1 in line to get a ticket
  • pappabear1968
    August 9, 2009
    pappabear1968
    I lived this life for 16 years, it's a rough way to earn a living!
  • ikeman187
    June 16, 2009
    ikeman187
    Good documentary on what goes on behind the scenes of pro wrestling
  • edmeyer83
    April 30, 2009
    edmeyer83
    It's crazy to see certain wrestlers in this state (Jake the Snake, Terry Funk, etc)
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