Wonderful film with a sad story

Rating: 9/10 (25 January 2009)

I never expected this film to be what it is. It exceeded my expectations. Mickey Rourke gives a powerful and admirable performance as this man who, after being a big star, is now defeated and is trying to survive. I felt sorry for this character. Sorry for a man who doesn't know his way in life, who doesn't know what he wants but who seems to be a man with a soul and a desire to share his feelings with someone who really cares about him. The supporting cast was brilliant. Marisa Tomei's performance is subtle but strong, whose character is in pretty much the same conditions as the lead's. Evan Rachel Wood is excellent as the estranged daughter, who, to my opinion, was very hard on her father and didn't quite understand him. She just gave up on him. The last scene with Marisa Tomei is wonderful. Those words were very true. Another thing that I liked, was the nice touch of Rourke's character walking through the hallways and downstairs with the cheer of an audience in the background.