Certainly deserves more than 2 Oscar nominees

Rating: 10/10 (23 January 2009)

It was so perfect.
It encompassed so much that I feel or have felt in life. Thank you Darron Aronofsky (one of my favorite directors) and Mickey Rourke for discovering that you are a miraculous film-making team.
Rourke's RANDY "THE RAM" ROBINSON reminded me of myself, my father, and a star I've idolized for a lifetime, all thrown into a blender and slapped in the face repetitively. He is such a god damn lovable guy, but he's a victim to his life. Behind all his power, he is helpless, just like so many people. He is who he is and there's no one else he can be.
I was highly engaged and entertained the entire time, and was dropping tears, one at a time, sparingly throughout the entire second half of the film.
I was also astonished by Marisa Tomei. Not just by her mind-blowing 44 year old body (which I was not expecting to be so floored by), but just as much by her performance as the admirable stripper. There are plenty of good people out there who take on this rough profession and she plays one of them, with flying colors. She was working magic in this film and I felt like I tied to the same string that Rourke's character was tied to. She was lovable and powerful.
The wrestling matches in the early portion of the film are brutal, intense, and realistic. Honestly they are some of the best "action sequences" I have seen all year. They will certainly change your perspective on the sport if you aren't already a fan. Wrestling may be acted out, but it sure as hell isn't "fake".
I recommend this movie to everyone. It's truly a triumph. Easily one of the greatest movies of 08.