1980 entkommt ein Teenager den Unruhen im Iran, nur um in Amerika wegen der Geiselkrise mit noch mehr Feindseligkeiten konfrontiert zu werden. Entschlossen, sich einzufügen, schließt er sich... Alles lesen1980 entkommt ein Teenager den Unruhen im Iran, nur um in Amerika wegen der Geiselkrise mit noch mehr Feindseligkeiten konfrontiert zu werden. Entschlossen, sich einzufügen, schließt er sich dem zappelnden Ringkampfteam der Schule an.1980 entkommt ein Teenager den Unruhen im Iran, nur um in Amerika wegen der Geiselkrise mit noch mehr Feindseligkeiten konfrontiert zu werden. Entschlossen, sich einzufügen, schließt er sich dem zappelnden Ringkampfteam der Schule an.
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- 10 wins total
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Intends to deliver that "feel good" buzz and mostly succeeds.
And, let us not forget, in this somewhat upside down world there are not enough of these kinds of movies being made.
On the other side of ledger, there are problems here and there with the script and the direction.
Script has what they call "false notes." Initially for example, Ali's uncle is painted as a fairly nasty character -- this for no reason I could discern -- then valuable script time is wasted trying to "rehabilitate" him in the eyes of the audience.
Whaa?
Same with the half-hearted attempt to make this less a sports film and more a social commentary. Also, out of nowhere, literally given less than 60 seconds of screen time, is the notion that the secret of Ali's technique is some sort of lost Perian MMA skill that goes back to Ghenghis Khan. (Caught my interest, would have liked to know more.)
Whaa?
Similar issues with the direction which has "odd beats." If you watch a lot of films, the timing will seem wrong to you on a subliminal level. Too much time, for example, on social issues with minimal time on the actual training. Again, if this is a sports film (and neither the writer or director seem entirely convinced) this could have been handled better.
Recommendation? Yeah, catch it if you can.
I am a bit of a sucker for a feel good sport movie, especially when they are based on true events like this one is.
You can not go wrong with Jon Voight and William Fichtner as far as I am concerned, they very rarely do a bad movie and they do not disappoint here. George Kosturos as Ali is excellent and Ali Afshar as his uncle Hafez hits all the right notes.
I am old enough to remember the 1980 hostage saga and Ronald Reagan being elected President, so it brings back a lot of memories.
Very much worth watching and one I will be watching again, a suggestion for some would be to have the tissues handy.
Very solid 8/10
American Wrestler: The Wizard has a great vibe to it. Because the film is based in 1980, the clothing, the mise-en-scene, and soundtrack made this movie feel like a classic 80's film. The underdog story of a scrawny kid with an inner fire who defies all odds and becomes a wrestling "wizard," places itself against other classics such as Karate Kid or even Rocky as the film is also about an immigrant outcast who's doubted in skills solely due to where he comes from.
American Wrestler: The Wizard is an inspiring film that will make you smile, laugh, and cry. The film's lead actor George Kosturos did a fantastic job portraying Ali Afshar as he went through the trials and tribulations of being Iranian in America during the 1980 hostage crisis.
One truly spectacular part of the film was the wrestling. George Kosturos had no experience in wrestling before this film. Yet he learned and performed all his own stunts. The wrestling holds, escapes, and moves were incredible, you couldn't look away. The wrestling scenes in American Wrestler: The Wizard were so intense that everyone in the audience was squirming in their seats, the cinematography truly puts you in the heat of the moment.
Wusstest du schon
- WissenswertesBased on the real life of producer Ali Afshar who portrays Ali's uncle in the movie.
- PatzerAt the State tournament, the Cage Fighter logo can be seen on the back of Roman Knox's singlet. Cage Fighter apparel was not available in 1980 as it was not founded until 2007.
- Zitate
Hafez Tabad: I will admit it would be nice to see a Persian boy beat the Americans. In front of their friends and families, THAT is something I would like to see.
- VerbindungenFollowed by American Fighter (2019)
- SoundtracksWorking For The Weekend
Written by Paul Dean, Matthew Prenette, Mike Reno
Performed by Loverboy
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- Erscheinungsdatum
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- Amerikan Güreşçisi: Büyücü
- Drehorte
- Santa Rosa, Kalifornien, USA(State Finals Championship)
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- Laufzeit1 Stunde 57 Minuten
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- Seitenverhältnis
- 2.35 : 1