A great movie about show business and real life

Rating: 9/10 (2 November 2017)

I really appreciate when the actors do the 'extra mile' to portray their characters; when their performance feels so natural, so real that their emotions touch you. For the most part of the movie I forgot that I was seeing one, and it seemed like a documentary about an aging wrestler (Mickey Rourke) and a stripper (Marisa Tomei).
I have to say that both Mickey and Marisa gave everything they got to their characters. Their performance was simply outstanding, the best work I've ever seen from them. It becomes violent and sexual at times, odd scenes that really don't add much to the whole story (and prevent this movie to be seen by an younger audience) but I think this movie should be seen and reflected upon by everyone, regardless of age.
It is easy to not care about the future when the present is filled with success and popularity but it is after those golden years that the real life begins, and many successful people aren't prepared to have a quiet anonymous life. This movie shows us that struggle and how unprepared one can be.
The Wrestler's example should teach us a thing or two about life's choices and what we can do to prevent choosing the wrong things. I love when movies makes us think about our own lives.