The Wrestler (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Mickey Comes Out Swinging
Mickey Rourke comes out swinging as the aging wrestler in Darren Aronofskys film The Wrestler. It is a comeback making performance and raw, gritty entertainment. It will stun you into attention.
Rourke plays Randy the Ram Robinson, a wrestler past his prime and long gone from the glory days of his youth. Still he longs for the roar of the crowd so he keeps playing dates where he can get into the ring and be idolized. Most of these dates are in fairly squalid venues.
His life away from the ring is pretty dire. He always needs money and takes odd jobs to help him survive. His social life is non-existent because he lacks the social skills necessary to make contact with anyone. He likes a local stripper named Cassidy (Marisa Tomei) but their meetings are awkward and tenuous.
He has a daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood) who he has neglected for years. Now he wants to reconnect with her but she is not buying it. There have been too many disappointments and heartaches in the past. The scenes between Randy and Stephanie are the most poignant in the film.
Rourke is truly amazing in this role. He looks the part, he acts the part, he lives the part. There is not one second in the movie when he is not convincingly Randy Robinson. Physically he looks worn out and bloated but that is in keeping with the role.
Tomei once again shows why some consider her to be one of the best actresses of her generation. Her willingness to strip herself bare both physically and emotionally adds to the truthfulness of the film. She makes Cassidy vulnerable and caring, struggling and determined. It is a beautiful performance by an actress who has taken her lumps from critics along the way.
The rawness of the film may not make it appealing to all audiences but for those who like stark reality this is a gold mine of a movie. Aronofsky paints a full portrait of this common man who wants to have one last uncommon experience. He may be a star on a small scale but Randy Robinson lives for the applause of the fans.
The movie is rated R for profanity, violence and nudity.
Mickey Rourke was on the fast track to success and acclaim when he squandered his acting career. Now he is back and better than ever. The Wrestler is his best role in years and he makes the most of every moment. If ever there was a perfect meeting of man and role, this is it..
I scored The Wrestler a squalid 8 out of 10.
