Mickey Rourke's superb performance saves the movie.

Rating: 7/10 (22 April 2009)

Mickey Rourke was a good actor 20 some odd years ago, then persona demons brought his promising career to a halt.
This movie revives his career. He has received many rewards for this performance as a wrestler at the end of a long career, no longer the star wrestler he once was.
Darren Aronofsky directed, The sparse screenplay was written by Robert D. Seigal, This my friends is the reason I cannot give this a higher rating. Mr.Aronofsky should have also written the screenplay,like he did with Requiem for a Dream,He added humour to Requiem & that helped make that a superior film, we were able to take the grimness in stride. In this film, there is very little humour, & felt no sadness at the unhappy ending.
The acting by all,especially Mickey Rourke gives the film its rating.Marissa Tomei is also equally good as a pole dancer, Evan Rachel Ward as his daughter was also wonderful.
The wrestling scenes are very brief;devotees of the sport may enjoy this more than I did.
Ratings: *** (ouit of 4) 83 points (out of 100) IMDb 7 (out of 10)