Oscar worthy

Rating: 10/10 (2 March 2009)

I don't cry in movies. Don't get me wrong, I'm not heartless, I just don't. There were points in this film where I had very real tears in my eyes.
Mickey Rourke is Randy "The Ram" Robinson (the wrestler of the title), who lives in the nostalgia of his former glory but who's career has taken a nosedive. After a match he suffers a near fatal heart attack, and facing the reality that he can no longer do what he loves, he tries to face living in the real world.
I have not seen many films by Darren Aronofsky, but after seeing this I really want to. The direction is sublime, the writing smart and subtle and the editing highly commendable. In particular, in the scene where The Ram starts working in a new job, the sound of a crowd cheering is edited in as he walks towards the entrance. Also, the final shot of this movie took my breath away. Its amazing.
It is clear that Aronofsky can get the best out of his actors. Most of the cast are unknowns, I only recognised three of the names in the credits. This gives the film a sense of reality, and also gives the leads a chance to improvise and banter. The wrestlers are all real wrestlers, and they have some great dialogue with Mickey Rourke. The people who stand out though are Evan Rachel Wood and Marisa Tomei. Wood only has maybe 3 or 4 scenes, but uses the time well, both brutally and in a way that breaks your heart. Tomei's character delivers brilliant dialogue and is a fantastic mirror for The Ram, as an ageing stripper holding on to her profession even though she rarely has custom.
Now, Mickey Rourke. This guy is a very good actor, but this is his best role by a long shot. I dare say the best performance by a leading man this year. He delivers genuine emotion and brilliant range in his portrayal of a man who cannot let go of what he is best at, and what he loves. He had this character down to a T and I really hope this movie re-energises his career, because goodness knows he deserves it.
The best compliment I can give is this; despite the subject matter and the issues raised, this never lapses into melodrama. It remains subtle and heartbreaking to the last, and I can only give praise.