American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016) Movie Review

American Wrestler: The Wizard – ABC Film Challenge – 2010’s Movies – A – American Wrestler: The Wizard – Movie Review

Director: Alex Ranarivelo

Writer: Ali Afshar, Brian Rudnick (Screenplay)

Cast

George Thomas (American Fighter)
William Fichtner (Armageddon)
Ali Afshar (Born Champion)
Lia Marie Johnson (Murder at Yellowstone City)
Jon Voight (Midnight Cowboy)

Plot: In 1980, a teenage boy escapes the unrest in Iran only to face more hostility in America, due to the hostage crisis. Determined to fit in, he joins the school’s floundering wrestling team.

Runtime: 1 Hour 57 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: American Wrestler: The Wizard starts when Ali Jahani (Thomas) escapes from Iran to join his family in America. Ali struggles to fit in high school until he starts to prove himself in the wrestling circle. He steps up to take on the best member of the team.

This sees Ali get noticed by Coach Plyler (Fichtner) who gives him a chance on the team. Ali must learn the self-discipline to be part of the team while honouring his family’s beliefs. All this is as he starts to enjoy the American experience, despite people still looking down on him.

Verdict on American Wrestler: The Wizard

American Wrestler: The Wizard is a sports drama that brings an Iranian refuge to America in the 1980s. It sees him needing to deal with the tension between the two nations, despite being a teenager just trying to grow up. He must earn the respect of the other students by becoming a member of the wrestling team.

Taking on the world a sports drama, we know how most of them go. Is it real life, like this one, or a made-up one? It targets an underdog who must overcome different hardships to make it in the sport, even only at the high school level. This is based on Ali Afshar’s experiences who also plays the Uncle and producer of the movie.

The story is wholesome and the performances are solid throughout, making this an easy-to-watch sports drama.

Final Thoughts – American Wrestler: The Wizard is an enjoyable by-the-books sports drama.