Astounding, fabulous & a sad story

Rating: 9/10 (9 January 2009)

Mickey Rourke has redeemed himself from the sins of 'wild orchid' by delivering a powerful performance in this film. With the only exception of Bruno Ganz (in 'Der Untergang') no other actor even dared to cross the self-limits & rediscover himself in such a way that even the set-rules of acting are broken. Rourke tops my list for the best actor in Oscars this year. Arnofsky on the other hand is all the same - the very best. His cinematic lineage has always put me in awe right from the days of 'pi'. The story is simple yet very astounding, revolving around once-famed wrestler, suffering from the terrible pains of loneliness & anger, denial & self-loathing that follows. Though this film will be in my favorites yet it brought me sadness. It symbolizes the John Locke's 'Tabula rasa' which by rule always & by everyone is filled with dark colors only. In simpler words life becoming a choice to live in or already being in hell.
Arnofsky has created a masterpiece. He has made us face to face with loneliness & the eternal trial of humans to fill it something else, though that something always falling short. Desires are not infinite but there is always a desire for the infinite. All heads down, all hands up for this film. A must must watch.