GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling

GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling is a captivating documentary premiered in 2012 with a focus on the 80s all-female professional wrestling show, the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW). The film boasts an array of interesting characters, some among them being Emily Dole, Dee Booher, and Larry Whistler.

Prioritizing women's voices, this feature-length documentary is directed aptly by Brett Whitcomb. It brings to the forefront the ambitious, raw, and untamed spirit of GLOW and the women who became the lifeblood of this breakthrough show.

From the outset, GLOW was not just another wrestling TV show. The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling was the first-ever all-women’s wrestling show on television that combined aspects of wrestling with comedic skits and satirical characters. The unpredictability and freshness of the show made it an unprecedented sensation during its four-season run from 1986 to 1990.

The documentary creates a vivid picture of the unique bravado and charisma that each of these women embodied, powering their personas inside the wrestling ring. Emily Dole, popularly known as "Mt. Fiji," was loved for her personality which was larger than life. On the other hand, Dee Booher, or "Queen Kong," instilled fear in her competitors with her intimidating image, while Larry Whistler, one of the few men featured, added another dimension to the narrative.

These captivating personalities are showcased through intimate interviews, offering a generous share of fascinating anecdotes about their time in GLOW. The film intertwines the stories of these ladies with archival footage from the show, thus crafting a narrative that is both engaging and nostalgic.

GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling puts the limelight unmistakably on the modern American woman's tribulations taking on a piecemeal task - the challenge of thriving in a male-dominated sport like wrestling. It does so by masterfully exploring the lives of these women, not just as television personas but as mothers, daughters, professionals, and individuals grappling with the harsh realities of the world.

Although the film is brimming with intrinsically fun-filled and often hysterical content, it does not shy away from exploring the darker avenues that these women had to tread. They battled grueling physical training sessions, faced injuries, and confronted stereotypes. At the same time, they also dealt with exploitation, uncomfortable costumes, and the burden of 'image maintenance.'

The documentary is also a tale of friendships, fierce competition, fame, and sudden downfall. The teamwork and camaraderie between the wrestlers are heartening to behold, portraying a form of sisterhood that was the real driving force behind GLOW.

The film is a well-constructed patchwork of the vibrant era that GLOW was; an era of glitz, liberation, glamour, and over-the-top fashion. Intricately woven together, GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling delves deeply into their journey during this pioneering gig that capitalized on the boldness and audacity of the women involved.

Besides the fascinating insights into the wrestling world, the movie also offers a deeper, more profound perspective. It tackles themes of fame, its fleeting nature and trajectories of people's lives once the glitz and glamour start to fade.

Where are the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling today? What happened to them when the spotlight was switched off? And how did they grapple with the transition from a glamorous life to intriguing anonymity? These questions redefine and direct the film's narrative.

GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling is not just an account of a flash-in-the-pan television show, but a compelling story about the women behind it - each one a unique combination of unabashed prowess and vulnerability. Its strength lies in the authentic voices of the women who offer firsthand accounts about their time spent in the wrestling ring, their struggles, victories, and lessons learned.

In essence, the film paints a vivid picture of an era that was ignited by the GLOW women's grit, glamour, and radiant spirit. It's an essential watch for enthusiasts of women's wrestling, fans of the original spectacle, and anyone interested in engrossing stories about pioneering women in history.