Beyond the Mat

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Beyond the Mat

79% Liked It
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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: 5871877

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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.
  • FilmAddykt
    December 31, 2009
    FilmAddykt
    First review for 2010 and I have to write this review right now despite having it almost impossible to keep myself awake. Why? Because I felt obliged. I felt obliged to myself, to this film, to wrestling. I see all my friends in Flixster, with few exceptions, rating this film as ...( read more)"NOT INTERESTED" and I can't understand the reason. I for one, to quote the director, have always loved wrestling. I don't know why. I just always have. Despite abandoning it, due to peer pressure mostly, in 2009 I rekindled my relationship with wrestling and it is now stronger than ever. But back to my Flixster friends. I don't know the reasons and I don't want to pass judgement but I think that if you watched this movie you would reconsider, having seen the real face of wrestling.

    To the film itself now. This documentary comprises of three main parts, each focusing on one wrestler, and also takes a general thorough look into the industry. What is great about it that it shows the real nature of the bastardly opera that is wrestling. And that is simply the nature of every other show bussiness enterprise. Behind the glamour we have simple people that have to work their asses off to earn a works pay and live their dream. They are nothing like their personas and they are not sadistic bastards. They 're just hungry for the spotlight. The most interesting thing is to observe the impact that wrestling had on their lives unlike other jobs would. Because even if wrestling is scripted, let me tell you that the people and their bodies participating in wrestling are very real.

    It is absolutely heartbreaking to watch Mick Foley's kids faces when their dad gets hit repeatedly hit by a chair on the head while being handcuffed. If you ask him he 'll say that he feels guilt about having to put his loved ones through this but he also feels that he needs to give the audience its moneys worth. He needs to do that as much a doctor needs to operate. One may ask, "Why do wrestlers have to continue beating each for a living like that, knowing the hell they 'll come through?" Another wrestling legend interviewed for the film, Terry Funk, has the answer. "It's fun." This is coming from a man that will probably spend the rest of his life in pain because of injuries to his legs. But he still goes on. You just can't watch this and be left unmoved. I won't even extend on the life of the third wrestler this movie focuses on. Jake "The Snake" Roberts i portrayed in such a raw and bare way that you just wonder how this person has the guts to continue living. I guess wrestling is his life support.

    From a technical standpoint this documentary does a pretty good job. While not a slick Discovery looking documentary. It is very gritty and has a home made quality to it that matches the nature of the subject at hand

    In conclussion whether a fan of wrestling or not this is a must see movie and documentary. It captures the essence of its subject, it is informative moving and will probably make you contemplate on certain aspects of entertainment and showbussines today while also giving you some great life stories.
  • eryri
    December 18, 2009
    eryri
    Interesting insight into the world of pro wrestling. Quite sad to see one of my favourites Jake Roberts descending into his own personal drugs hell.
  • 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!
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