More than just a wrestling movie.

Rating: 10/10 (3 February 2009)

The Wrestler is much more than just a movie about wrestling. It's a movie about real people in fake worlds (wrestling for Rourke, stripping for Tomei). It's also about loss, lost relationships, lost youth and a lost soul.
Rourke's performance is what everyone has been talking about. After watching The Wrestler I can safely say that it's as good as advertised. Rourke became the character. Tomei also delivered a strong supporting performance as the stripper Cassidy. Evan Rachel Wood was great in her limited use as Rourkes bitter daughter Stephanie.
The way the wrestling world is portrayed is dead on. It showed you the bond between the wrestlers backstage and how the shows are run. It shows you the dark side of wrestling (steroid use, drug addictions etc.) This movie did it's homework and that made it even better.
The ending is so simple yet so emotional. The entire movie is that way, simple but emotional. The academy made a huge mistake not nominating this for best picture, I hope Rourke wins the award and shows the academy what a real performance is. Stay for the credits to hear Bruce Springsteen's song made solely for the film. You won't regret it.