Not about a salary it's all about reality

Rating: 9/10 (19 February 2009)

This film has undoubted power, but one can't help feeling more than a little hoodwinked by the excellent central performances and the documentary style. Let's face it, is the script up to it, and is the scenario as "realistic" as the manner in which it is shot? Do former superstar wrestlers end up this way? I don't know, but would guess not.
What one is left with is an emotional ride (I am still sad one full day later) but a film of its time when "staged pain" is marketed for an audience which has never experienced it. Like watching wrestling, strangely enough.
Rourke is great though and I would love to see him get rewarded properly for the amazing job he does here.