THE WRESTLER

LOVE. PAIN. GLORY.

Director: Darren Aronofsky 

Actors: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood and others

Genre: Drama, Sport

Duration: 109 minutes

Plot: a faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle (written by Kenneth Chisholm).

Analysis: The Wrestler is the typical example of a movie having been created for the sole purpose of aiding a single actor's career. In this particular occasion that actor happened to be the well-known Mickey Rourke who, after three years of unembloyment and a whole decade of poor choices and terrible critics' reviews, was offered the rare opportunity of taking the leading role in Aronofsky's –probably the one director that understands the word "drama" better than anyone else in Holywood, with acclaimed movies like Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream in his arsenal– latest film. And not only did he accept that opportunity but he gifted us with the best performance of his entire career, winning his first oscar nomination and losing by a thin hair the golden statue from Sean Penn. Apart from Rourke's marvellous performance (and Marisa's Tomei captivating presense), the film contains all those necessary elements which characterize a good drama: bold direction, strong emotional scenes and sharp dialogues. Aronofsky succeeds in making a well-balanced film which, even though it doesn't contain any spectacular and full of modern CGI effects scene, will sustain your interest until the finale. 

      But in the end, The Wrestler is all about Rourke who, just like the hero he impersonates, grasped the one and only chance he had to conquer glory after years of unsuccesful and deadlock struggles.


Things to notice:

• the dynamic comeback of Mickey Rourke, who offers us a memorable performance, 
• the gracefull direction of Darren Aronofsky and
• the strong feelings that the film's dramatic scenes create.

Oscar awards (2009): 

• two (2) oscar nominations for:

a) Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role and
b) Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.

Personal Evaluation: 8.1/10

Should be watched tonight if: you want to witness the unparallel acting capabilities of Mickey Rourke, the most misunderstood actor of his generation and the unimaginable extent of performance he can land when he actually wants to.

Trailer