Movies based on the popular entertainment known as professional wrestling have not fared well in translating the sport to the big screen. Movies featuring various members who wrestled in the past do mediocre business and a number of films starring current popular wrestlers have gone straight to DVD. The only serious film on the subject, THE WRESTLER (that starred Mickey Rourke), did well critically but not so much financially. And the one that did well at the box office, NO HOLDS BARRED, came out back in 1989 when star Hulk Hogan was at his peak. Knowing all of this there is little expectations to be expected about any film made about professional wrestling. So when one is released that is entertaining it should always be considered a plus.
CHOKESLAM tells the story of Corey Swanson (Chris
Marquette), a mild mannered deli worker who runs into an old friend from high
school named Luke (Michael Eklund) as Luke attempts to hold him up. After the
failed attempt as they sit and talk Luke suggests they attend the high school
reunion taking place. Corey is unwilling at first since something happened back
then to send him on a downward spiral and noting that Luke was always the cool
kid everyone liked. When Luke tells him that Sheena DeWilde (Amanda Crew) will
be there, Corey shuts down the deli and they head out.
It turns out that Corey and Sheena were friends and possibly
a couple while in high school. Her dream was always to become a professional
wrestler and during graduation the entire school was cheering her on to achieve
her dream. But as she stood on the stage saying farewell Corey approached and
proposed to her only to be turned down. Sheena leaves and Corey becomes “that”
guy.
But Sheena’s career didn’t take off as planned. She did well
but a bout with alcohol abuse and some run ins with the law left her career
tanking. She’s become more well known for her bouts with arresting officers and
her time on a reality show than her time in wrestling, something that comes up
at the reunion when a collection of her worst moments is shared on screen.
Against the better wishes of his mother who he still lives
with, Corey approaches Sheena and offers her words of encouragement. But all
hopes of reuniting seem dashed to the curb when her manager and potential
boyfriend Tab (Niall Matter) steps in. Corey overhears Sheena saying she wants
to retire and in an attempt to help her plans a retirement match and the gym in
town where she began it all. Owned by Patrick (pro-wrestler Mick Foley) Corey
sets things in motion. But Luke, in trying to help, plants posters all over
town before he has a chance to discuss it with Sheena.
The event goes on, Tab steps in taking all the credit and
Corey is left still pining for the woman who got away. The two do get a chance
to spend some time together reconnect as friends if not romantically. But there
are forces at work that will offer yet another chance for Corey. More is
revealed about what really did happen in his past that will alter the course
the story seems headed in at first. And a final moment of heroism will give him
one last opportunity to make his dreams come true.
Let’s start by saying up front this is not a major studio
production here. There is no mega-budget on hand to either bring on top notch
actors or the highest production values possible. And yet a the meager budget
on hand here is used to full effect in making a romantic comedy that presents
plenty of light laughs and a compelling story. The stars may not be mega stars
but each and every one displays the talent it takes to reach that levels
offering believable characters in an unbelievable story. Marquette and the
slightly nebbish Corey is endearing in the role and Crew offers an attractive
sought after dream for his character while being able to carry off the
physicality that the role requires.
The movie doesn’t do what a vast number of movies based in
the world of wrestling choose to do which is paint this picture of the glitz
and glamour, bright lights and large contracts or as a world where only the
seediest of characters can be found stabbing one another in the back both
figuratively and literally. Instead it takes a simple story of romantic
affection and lost dreams and places them into the middle of the ring with the
surrounding story being wrestling. It melds the two worlds together effectively
and the end result is a movie that’s both touching and fun to watch.
You won’t find major belly laughs in this film and you also
won’t see some past starts of wrestling at the center of the story. They’re
there and they help move things along but not the focus. They lend some
credibility to the film but are window dressing. As a fan of Foley it was nice
to see him here. But the end result was a film that was more touching than
expected and more fun than one would expect.
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