Mickey Rourke slams as the ageing wrestler grappling at his life's nadir

Rating: 7/10 (19 January 2009)

The Wrestler isn't Rocky, it isn't Bloodsport, it's it own film and all the better for it. A fine film that captures in an almost drama documentary style the nadir of a formerly high profile Wrestler's life and career. The cliché in the genre is that the real battle is the one that has to be fought outside of the ring, however despite that angle the director's take on the storyline has such a realistic feel to it that it just puts others in the shade.
Mickey Rourke plays the title role of the wrestler, as Randy ("The Ram") Robinson who has to deal with adjusting to life with a ticky heart, a daughter who doesn't want him in her life and a love interest who is a table dancer who has her own set of problems. Acting by the three main leads (Randy, daughter and his love interest) are superb and at times difficult to watch as they are so good. The film is emotionally tense, and gives a good balance between the wrestling bout action and to the real life dramas out of the ring in Randy's real life.
Don't expect this to be Rocky or even Rocky Balboa in any way. Its gritty and dark in many places and not a feel good movie. Mickey Rourke has not done than this role, and come the award ceremonies his name will be commonly mentioned. A very good film.
Final question: Is this film also an allegory on Mickey Rourke's own acting career? Various parallels, but that's for himself to best answer I guess.