When it comes to crafting a screenplay that is both bittersweet and meaningful, many screenwriters turn to the “bitter” half of such stories — the Personal Tragedy. While not as overwhelmingly depressing as the classic Shakespearean Tragedy, this kind of story seeks to create conflicting emotions within the hearts and minds of an unsuspecting audience. Sometimes winning can be ruinous for a character.

There are some films that are so subtle in the area of character development that it can be difficult to determine exactly what is being said. In the case of The Wrestler, there was a fine line regarding Randy’s emotional growth and where he ended up. For accuracy to prevail, it becomes necessary not to confuse the world of the real with the world of the story.