Via IMpawards, here is the Hi-Res version of the poster for THE WRESTLER, ( click on it to enlarge) which is much easier to look at than the previous promotional poster. They’re both similar as far as basic artwork is concerned but this new one has list of awards that that the movie’s gotten this year from various film festivals. And the critic statement seems to confirm that this is what has brought Mickey Rourke’s career back from the dead by calling it “The Resurrection of Mickey Rourke”. The tagline says “Love, Pain, and Glory”
Back in the late ’80s, Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was a headlining professional wrestler. Now, twenty years later, he ekes out a living performing for handfuls of diehard wrestling fans in high school gyms and community centers around New Jersey.
Estranged from his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and unable to sustain any real relationships, Randy lives for the thrill of the show and the adoration of his fans. However, a heart attack forces him into retirement. As his sense of identity starts to slip away, he begins to evaluate the state of his life — trying to reconnect with his daughter, and strikes up a blossoming romance with an aging stripper (Marisa Tomei). Yet all this cannot compare to the allure of the ring and passion for his art, which threatens to pull Randy “The Ram” back into his world of wrestling.
Director Darren Aronofsky presents a powerful portrait of a battered dreamer, who despite himself and the odds stacked against him, lives to be a hero once again in the only place he considers home inside the ring.
THE WRESTLER opens December 19th, 2008
I have to be honest, Mickey Rourke isn’t my favorite actor. But somehow he won my respect with this outstanding performance. This is without a doubt the best performance of his entire carreer. I can only guess that it has something to do with the fact that the role looks a bit like his own professional life. And I even think it’s worth the ‘Best Actor’ Oscar for this year, no doubt. At least a nomination.
As for Darren Aronofsky. I absolutely digg ‘The Fountain’, ‘Requiem for a Dream’ is in my top ten of all time and I’m realy curious about ‘Pi’. Now, for the people that didn’t like any of them, good news. This is the most simple and visualy sober movie Darren has made so far. It’s ‘About Schmidt’ meets ‘Rocky’, a instant modern classic.
Check it out.
Wow! You’ve seen THE WRESTLER?
Lucky you, man!
I’m still waiting for the limited release
Thanks for the brief review, though..
Now I know all the Oscar buzz surrounding this movie and Mickey Rourke are true.
Yup, I saw it at the Filmfestival in Ghent (Belgium) where it was chosen as the closing film. Most people agreed on the performance of Rourke, but not everyone agreed on Aronofsky. Some thought the movie was a too simple and missed the typical Aronofsky-touch. But I’m not in that group.
However, I don’t think it’s going to be nominated for ‘best picture’.
I hope you can see it soon.
I sure will