Sadly, a snoozer from Aronofsky.

Rating: 4/10 (20 July 2009)

TW is not an awful film, but it's certainly not in the same league as Aronofsky's "Pi", "Requiem for A Dream", and "The Fountain". These films exhibited some style and originality, but TW just retreads "Rocky" and half-a-dozen other films about washed-up athletes. All the mandatory clichés are there...estranged daughter, stripper with a heart of gold who has a rule about dating customers, unsuccessful attempts to hold a regular (non-wrestling) job, and so forth. It might as well have been titled "Wrestler: The Rehash".
Again, unlike his previous films, Aronofsky does not demonstrate any real style in filming the story. It's workmanlike, and the editing is pretty good, but there's absolutely no pizazz to it.
Some people will go to see this film thinking that it will give you insight into the world of professional wrestling. While it's true that you get to see a bit of what it's like backstage, you never get the feeling that you understand it that well. It's similar to walking through an auto factory and expecting to understand the auto business.
Finally, we come to Rourke's performance. Now, I like Rourke as an actor as much as any guy. This is one reason that I squirm when I see what he has done to himself over the past 20 years. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the combination of substance abuse, face lifts, and botox does a pretty good job of preparing him to look like a washed-up wrestler who has abused his body beyond the point of endurance. As far as the actual acting, not so good. And Tomei is never convincing as the dancer who is his romantic interest, either.
In conclusion, not an awful film, but not up to Aronofsky's other work.