Rourke Pins this One to the Floor

Rating: 8/10 (21 March 2009)

The Wrestler, is a portrayal of a once been to a has been clinging to a last chance at redemption in his hopes to reclaim his glory and make reparation for all that he gave up along the ways to success and was not able to reconnect to after his downfall from stardom. I really enjoyed this film. Aronofsky nailed the world of wrestling. It made me recall the days when Saturday morning was filled with Hulk Hogan, Randy Macho Man, Jake the Snake...the Warrior and all those guys. I found that the battles the Ram fought inside the ring and within himself in connection to his sport was much more invigorating to watch rather than his battles to find love with stripper Cassidy and from his estranged daughter Stephanie.The locker room scenes and scenes of Randy's everyday life were well done, but every scene with Cassidy was just predictable, boring and cliché. The film could be equally powerful and strong if she never was seen on screen and just another part of his life we know he lost and will never reclaim. However, I often think that perhaps this part of the story may have been better if recast; Evan Rachel Wood has yet to win me over.But thank heavens Mickey Rourke is back what I hope is better than ever, ready to reclaim his own stardom...lets just hope it does not mirror that of Randy's.