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The Wrestler

The Wrestler

Date: Feb 18 2009

Themes: Sports

Grammar: Simple Past Tense

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Darren Aronofsky, the famous director who made The Fountain and Requiem for a Dream, naturally chose professional wrestling as the topic for his next movie.

Wait, that doesn’t quite seem so natural, does it? Well, The Wrestler is not just a movie about big guys and their muscles. It’s a comeback story about a guy who goes from being famous to being washed up and working in a grocery store. But he tries to turn his life around and go from being a has-been to being on top again.

Listen to Marni and Mason talk about how watching a movie about life in the ring made them feel.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Marni

Mason

Mason

Marni:  So I just feel like giving you a big smack!

Mason:  What’s with the agro?

Marni:  I just saw The Wrestler and I’m all like “Ugh!”

Mason:  Oh really?

Marni:  No. I’m kidding.

Mason:  I was like emotionally crippled after seeing that movie.

Marni:  I know. Really emotionally draining and sad.

Mason:  Heart-breaking.

Marni:  Very sad.

Mason:  That movie pinned my heart.

Marni:  It was just this super tragic portrayal of this broke, beat-down guy and you’re just rooting for him and…

Mason:  Yeah. But like, I’m glad it went the way it did, you know? I think it was a much better film for doing it.

Marni:  Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely.

Mason:  A lot of parallels with Rourke’s actual life though too.

Marni:  Isn’t that fascinating? I was thinking the same thing. Here he was this, you know, total charming Hollywood actor…or he was a boxer actually, went into acting went back to boxing and now…

Mason:  Probably will go back to boxing at some point in the near future, let’s be honest.

Marni:   But it was like, they struggled so hard to get this film made.

Mason:  It’s a Hollywood fairy tale.

Marni:  It is a Hollywood fairy tale. And now he’s up an Oscar and he won the Golden Globe, so…

 

Grammar Point

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

Marni starts off by joking that The Wrestler made her feel like wrestling. But she and Mason quickly agree that the movie was more sad than it was aggressive.

Interestingly, the star of the movie, Mickey Rourke, has a life story similar to the plot of the The Wrestler. He was a famous actor in the 1980s, but this movie is his first big role in a long time. Not only is the movie about a comeback, but it is itself a comeback.

Did you used to be good at something you don’t do anymore? Ever thought about trying to make a comeback?

 

Comments

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sty1e _boy

sty1e _boy

Egypt

I LOVE THIS

12:38 AM Apr 21 2010 |

gureli

gureli

Turkey

I have watched this movie and it was awful… I liked this movie….

06:50 PM Mar 23 2009 |

Roughneck scallywag

Hungary

Sorry, i haven't yet seen this movie, but the way u're telling about it has made me feel curious on this real life motion picture !

09:28 AM Feb 22 2009 |

judy25201

China

I lik WWE-World Wrestling Entertainment,it is not voilent,it is funny.

08:13 AM Feb 21 2009 |

Norbu Sang-gye

China

cool!!!!!!!

02:22 AM Feb 20 2009 |

mr.romance

Egypt

Fell in love the language of the eyes




Language Oyoon faster, simpler and believe the language at all



When you sleep all eyes, the eyes of love alone is vigilant



The flame of the fire of love hearts Vcholha intervention, and demonstrating to the luster of, through the eyes

01:28 AM Feb 20 2009 |

mr.romance

Egypt

Love must wait, must ANSA and longing, it had been longing and company should know that he is not loving
Love makes life a bright light and hope and life
Without love die without a heart and hope to die and life is fading, all without sincerity
Love the heart beat and a smile of hope and tomorrow’s memories people perfume

01:25 AM Feb 20 2009 |

Storm123

Storm123

Viet Nam

hi.i haven't watched it :(

04:31 PM Feb 19 2009 |

haajka1

Somalia

its attractive movie an i like watchin such dat movies.

09:46 AM Feb 19 2009 |

lalobrown

lalobrown

Dominican Republic

i havent watched the money yet,but i really would like to watch it.this kind of movies remember us that no matter what we want if we try hard anything is possible.

08:06 PM Feb 18 2009 |

nad1a

nad1a

Greece

Life is all about rise and fall, but when that fall is too abrupt and you feel like the rug has been yanked out from under you , it takes a great deal of strong will to get back on your feet.

03:11 PM Feb 18 2009 |

Chandler2006

China

Man,it is not too bad,At least he has a wonderful moment in all his life.a lot of people have the nomal life.everyday just work for that little money.when you think about that kind of people.you will think that you are so proud of your life.

02:55 PM Feb 18 2009 |

Truc

Truc

Viet Nam

Sometimes, especially when i feel so upset with what are happening to my life, i read my diary and recall all the beautiful things happened to me. Then, i can feel better. Sometimes, I repair my life again as in the past, do things as i used to do in the past. However, some things are not suitable now..

... as love…Innocent

10:59 AM Feb 18 2009 |

lulu6151

lulu6151

China

he's cool! but i dont have that kind of experience. cause im young still learning.

10:47 AM Feb 18 2009 |

Naomi1010

Naomi1010

Taiwan

It looks like a touching movie!!!

09:16 AM Feb 18 2009 |

kukuka

kukuka

Ukraine

I used to play tennis before and now i quit. But there are no regrets. Everything that is over must be forgotten hehe

P.S. i think the Fountain is kind of strange movie i couldn't get what was the point

08:38 AM Feb 18 2009 |

dalisay

dalisay

Philippines

What fake are you talking about? 

08:26 AM Feb 18 2009 |

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