Fantasia 2020: You Cannot Kill David Arquette

You Cannot Kill David Arquette is a stirring and touching documentary with a magnetic central figure trying to re-inhabit an often strange world.

Synopsis: Actor David Arquette attempts a rocky return to the sport that stalled his promising Hollywood career.

In late 2018 footage appeared online of David Arquette bleeding heavily from his neck during a wrestling match with death match performer Nick Gage, sparking a certain amount of buzz and also numerous questions about how Arquette had come to be performing in this medium. The move from someone perhaps most famous for the Scream franchise appearing in scenes that could have been taken from a horror movie was compelling and confusing in equal measure. This documentary looks at the events before and after that to chart Arquette’s reckoning with his own history, troubles and future.

Both a study and celebration of its central figure, You Cannot Kill David Arquette doesn’t shy away from some incredibly difficult truths and uncomfortable sequences. The first uncomfortable truth comes from where David Arquette perhaps could have been in his film career. Originally slated for super stardom, Arquette has become more of a cult figure. Some of this appears to be by his own design, with an interest in cult, puppetry, wrestling and other non-standard pursuits over prestige projects. This, by no means is a criticism and what the documentary does is allow Arquette to take centre stage and indulge these passions in a way that is so infectious that you can’t help but root for him entirely. By not shying away from his troubles you’re given a far bigger picture of his motivations and challenges, supported by a cast of family and friends including his wife Christina, ex-wife Courtney Cox, their daughter Coco and his friend Jerry who want the best for him. On the subject of Jerry, the story of how they met is yet another indication of what kind of person David is underneath all of the more colourful stories.

Professional wrestling is an odd world. Simultaneously seeking validation that the medium is an art form in its own right and fiercely protective about allowing the ‘wrong’ people in. It also suffers from the same issues as any other entertainment industry, as revealed by the recent #speakingout movement in which a ‘boys will be boys’ attitude runs rampant and the line between stage personalities and real people is consistently blurred. In 2000, when his film Ready to Rumble inspired a promotional storyline in which he won the World Heavyweight Championship in now-defunct promotion WCW, Arquette became a symbol of what was wrong with the business attempting to gain favour with Hollywood and serving to undermine the hard work of performers by inviting non-trained people in search of wider headlines and attention. The title win was regarded as one of the (many) death knells of WCW makng Arquette unpopular in wrestling, while his flirtation with the wrestling business lost him credibility in Hollywood circles. Rejected by both worlds, but with an enthusiasm for both, it is easy to see how that stall in momentum would be frustrating and allow troubles to surface.

The documentary features his troubles, including alcoholism and ongoing struggles with mental and physical health issues, but what is clear is the support network and love he has around him. This is perhaps unsurprising considering how endearing enthusiastic David is about the things and people he is passionate about. The film strikes several emotional chords where his family is concerned where they worry about the state of his health and the danger involved in him taking up performances. Their negotiations between being protective and supportive are incredibly touching to watch as are his interactions with them.

Mixing heartfelt and more ridiculous moments, the film functions as a journey through different kinds of wrestling as David tries to find himself. An early appearance at a backyard wrestling show with no attendees sees him throw himself into a hostile situation with gusto. In fact, his repeated politeness to people who are still so angry about him daring to have an interest in wrestling shows what a strong character he is. Also notable is that as he moves to bigger, glossier operations, the more the performers are open about the collaborative elements and the aggressive insistence on ‘paying your dues’ and suffering for your art falls away. In a scene that feels like a turning point, wrestler RJ City skewers the idea that wrestlers should care about championships. A sequence in which they work out their match together, intercut with the final product perfectly shows the ability of wrestling to tell a compelling story with the gatekeeping finally shelved as David’s work ethic and commitment begins to shine.

There are, of course, comic moments that the documentary fully embraces. David stating he no longer wants to be seen as a joke is undermined by a cut to him vaping, while wearing a cape, on horseback. Despite this, it doesn’t serve to undermine him, but further showcase his unapologetic enthusiasm. Similarly the documentary captures the frenetic energy of wrestling, cutting quickly between fans and the action to display that communal experience and direct engagement. The result is an energetically paced film with plenty of memorable imagery. It picks contributors with lots to offer, be that fans with misplaced anger, helpful but dubious trainers and family members and friends who clearly adore him. The Gage match footage previously seen in short, reasonably grainy internet footage is presented here and the clarity makes it all the more frightening, showing the level of danger involved. As the credits roll, it is very difficult to not be moved by what has been rediscovered.

You Cannot Kill David Arquette is an emotional, heartfelt documentary that places a warm spotlight on David Arquette and his genuine, almost child-like wonder for experiences and people. Impossible to get through without both sad and happy tears, it will leave you with an entirely new appreciation for David Arquette.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

You Cannot Kill David Arquette shows as part of Fantasia 2020 on August 24th.