You can't keep a good man down...

Rating: 8/10 (5 July 2009)

Mickey Rourke is among my very favorite actors. I've seen everything he has done and his body of work is substantial. Several of his performances in the 'old days' should have earned him Oscar nominations. To say he stood as high as any of his peers would be accurate. That said, I do not think that 'The Wrestler' is his best work. It is amongst it though.
The Wrestler is a work that shines in its ability to tell the tale of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson in the gritty fashion that he lived it. The Ram is a survivor of a career that has seen him at the pinnacle and descent from the Professional Wrestling world. He has handled the pain and injuries along the way. He must now grapple with his emotions, a trickier foe in a far more brutal arena.
Rourke portrays two characters here. The first is that of 'The Ram'. All in the VFW halls and locker rooms love him. It is the bottom of the wrestling world in terms of glamor. But the camaraderie is strong, as the wrestlers reminisce about the limelight, the glory days. Inside the ropes, they pummel each other. Outside, there is great pride and friendship. Darren Aronofsky has done a superb job in achieving this sense, along with the real wrestlers taking part in the film.
The other character that Rourke brings to life is that of Robin ("call me Randy"). It is Robin who must tend to the wounds that his alter ego 'The Ram' inflicts. It is Robin who is constantly reminded of the uncomfortable existence it takes to keep 'The Ram' alive. It is time then, for Robin to summon the courage it takes to change things for the better.
Along the way he encounters Marisa Tomei as a kindred soul in need of change as well. Tomei creates 'Pam' a multi-faceted mirror for Robin to peer into. Her ability to blend humor, despair, intelligence and sultriness into the role of Pam is beautiful done. Hers is an integral part in 'The Wrestler'. She pulls it all off in fine fashion and form.
Evan Rachel Wood plays a distant and damaged link to Robin's past. Her contribution to the film is significant, with a capital "S". As mentioned, the real life wrestlers assembled for the film are great. Each one has crafted a character for the ring that enables their considerable physical talents to enthrall the local crowds who in turn heap praise upon them. They need each other and Director Aronofsky faithfully depicts that.
Having followed the buzz and accolades awarded the film, director and actors, I feel that they have truly earned it. Watching Mickey's 'official' return to Hollywood, and the publicity it generated made me very happy. I waited to view the film after the hoopla and award galas died down. I was enjoying the Mickey Rourke show too much. The look on Angelina Jolie's face as Rourke kissed her hand at an awards show said it all. For that moment in time, the man standing beside her, Brad Pitt, did not exist. Rourke's charisma survived the ups and downs of a harsh life that Rourke admitted was of his own doing.
I think the side story, that of the resurgence of Mickey Rourke is every bit as interesting as 'The Wrestler'. Rourke was nothing if not astounding, brilliant in films such as 'Rumblefish', and 'The Pope of Greenwich Village'. The success continued and then, it seemed as if Mickey disappeared. Often times, that is the case in Hollywood when one doesn't follow the script. What happened? It can be explained in three simple words, "Royalty in Exile".