You Cannot Kill David Arquette (2020)
In 2000, David Arquette made headlines as during promotion for the upcoming film Ready to Rumble, he won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. An outsider coming in and winning one of the most prestigious championships in professional wrestling was unheard of and for many both inside and outside the industry, felt like a slap in the face. Arquette quickly became known as one of the worst figures in the history of professional wrestling and promptly left the sport behind. This narrative has haunted Arquette ever since and in recent years led him back to the ring to prove his respect for the industry and change how both fans and wrestlers alike look at him, as documented in the new documentary You Cannot Kill David Arquette which is streaming as part of the 2020 Fantasia International Film Festival.
Easily one of the most commendable elements of You Cannot Kill David Arquette is the brutal honesty held within it. From the destain the wrestling fandom holds against David Arquette to the personal demons he himself fights against, the documentary might overdramatize plenty of its content but it never feels like it is hiding the painful truth that lies underneath. This gives the film and its subject a sense of authenticity. It is beyond clear that David Arquette truly does care about not just the professional wrestling industry but writing the wrongs of his past within it. Where the film treats this as a completely noble act, the audience can find a debate within themselves if David is misplaced with his efforts specifically due to the filmmaking within the documentary.
The film undoubtedly showcases the wrestling business as a rough one to enter and tries to show that David Arquette has properly paid his dues to reenter the industry. From spending a day getting beat up in a backyard federation with no fans even in attendance to traveling to Mexico to learn moves from wrestlers who wrestle in crosswalks during red lights to simply make a living. You Cannot Kill David Arquette constantly beats the message in that professional wrestling is an unforgiving sport where thousands destroy their bodies not even to make it on a big stage only to then worship Arquette as he moves up the card in defiance of this message. It isn't that the work Arquette is putting in is easy or without sacrifice, but the film fails to acknowledge the level of privilege Arquette carries as he works to accomplish his goal which can feel frustrating. This isn't helped by how the film at multiple points overdramatizes the events within it obviously trying to give the journey Arquette is on a cinematic level narrative that clashes with the films' grounded and honest heart.
Being a film about professional wrestling, it also is safe to say that those who will gain the most from the documentary are those who already care and have experience with the subject. The film does not give a clear introduction to the sport or the world of it so for those who don't already at least have a basic understanding of how the business operates will more than likely find themselves confused. This will only lead to a disconnect between subject matter and audience which will make the already mixed effectiveness of the narrative only less impactful. With that said, it would be criminal not to mention the power of the editing within the film. There are multiple absolutely brilliant transitions that really helps the film stand out on a technical level and add a level of legitimacy to the final product as a film.
Even if the film isn't necessarily one of the best films of the year, for fans of professional wrestling You Cannot Kill David Arquette is an easy recommendation. Even if there are some story beats that can rub audiences the wrong way, at the end of the day it is clear that the filmmakers and subjects are genuine in heart and are trying to do the right thing. The journey is honest and captivating enough to hold the attention of audiences for its clean 90-minute runtime.
Being a film about professional wrestling, it also is safe to say that those who will gain the most from the documentary are those who already care and have experience with the subject. The film does not give a clear introduction to the sport or the world of it so for those who don't already at least have a basic understanding of how the business operates will more than likely find themselves confused. This will only lead to a disconnect between subject matter and audience which will make the already mixed effectiveness of the narrative only less impactful. With that said, it would be criminal not to mention the power of the editing within the film. There are multiple absolutely brilliant transitions that really helps the film stand out on a technical level and add a level of legitimacy to the final product as a film.
Even if the film isn't necessarily one of the best films of the year, for fans of professional wrestling You Cannot Kill David Arquette is an easy recommendation. Even if there are some story beats that can rub audiences the wrong way, at the end of the day it is clear that the filmmakers and subjects are genuine in heart and are trying to do the right thing. The journey is honest and captivating enough to hold the attention of audiences for its clean 90-minute runtime.