True Heart

Rating: 9/10 (27 April 2014)

A broken down piece of meat? Mickey Rourke says that several times throughout the movie. And didn't everybody think Rourke was broken down in real life and as an actor? After this movie I can say he still has it. How can you argue? He shows not only is he still in tremendous shape but he can still give emotional depth to his characters. This is a fantastic movie that gives off every type of emotion you want from a film.
Darren Aronofsky is always a visually stunning director, and while this film doesn't have any huge set pieces it still benefits from a great script and beautifully directed intimate scenes between its leads. Maris Tomei and the daughter are great in their respected key scenes in the film. The 2 scenes with the daughter are devastating and you really start to feel for this big and not-so-good-looking wrestler who has his life torn away from him, even if it's basically at his own doing. It has to be one of if not Rourke's best and defining role in this business. If directors can only get him to do more of these types of roles, as I know I've heard it can be hard to work with him.
Even at it's emotional and depressing core it can be uplifting at the same time. The man knows he has put his life in the gutter and he's just trying to make the most of it. I really liked that he tells his daughter not only how sorry that he is but that he doesn't expect her to even have any love for him anymore. Because even when it's devastating it was at the same time satisfying, if that makes any sense. Love this movie and I highly recommend it.
9.2/10