My score: 10/10. Mickey Rourke can sell anything onscreen. I find him to be one of the most emotive and credible actors living today. In this case, he’s playing a weathered wrestler at the end of his career. It’s very well made film and bring your tissue.
The Wrestler (2008)
R | 1h 49min | Drama, Sport | 30 January 2009 (USA)
A faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle.
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Writer: Robert D. Siegel (as Robert Siegel)
Stars: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood
When you are hungry, you’ll do what you have to do to eat, or you’ll die. Now, add other needs to that equation: when you need the rent, when you’re lonely, when you’re empty inside, etc. People in desperate situations do desperate things. Darren Aronfsky has become quite famous this year for his “Mother!” film. I can’t attempt to unravel that here. Black Swan is another big hit of his. In that we see Natalie Portman’s character doing what she has to do to survive in her situation as well. It gets downright horrifying.
For me, “The Wrestler” is the best film of his. Marissa Tomei plays an older stripper who is not yeat at the end of her “career” and yet she sympathizes with her “client” who is all but completely burned out and washed up in his. If you’ve ever felt “done” with what you do, you will probably enjoy this film. It’sa universal situation for us humans who have limited time to do the best job we can. Again, bring your tissue.
