The Wrestler
The great Mickey Rourke (who won the BAFTA and Golden Globe for this role, but cruelly missed the Oscar) returns as broken down grappler Randy Robinson. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain), The Wrestler won the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival.
Randy's glory days in the ring are long gone. Old, alone and estranged from his only daughter (Evan Rachel Wood), he now works the independent wrestling curcuit. After a heart attack, he's told by doctors to stop wrestling. But for Randy, life outside the ring can be more burtal than in it. Marisa Tomei stars as his companion, a stripper similarly well past her prime.
- Director:
- Darren Aronofsky ('The Fountain', 'Requiem for a Dream', 'Pi')
- Writer:
- Robert D. Siegel
- Cast:
- Mickey RourkeMarisa TomeiEvan Rachel WoodMark MargolisTodd BarryWass Stevens
Reviews & comments
Rourke wrestles the dark night of his soul
Darren Aronofsky delivers again. Whether you see THE WRESTLER as a macho companion piece to BLACK SWAN or a study of one man's self-discovery, this documentary-style film is a powerful, moving and all too human tale. Mickey Rourke revels in his role as the washed-up wrestler. Not for all, this is no popcorn munchers cineplex blockbuster, but a thoughtful,...
Variety
pressRourke creates a galvanizing, humorous, deeply moving portrait that instantly takes its place among the great, iconic screen performances. An elemental story simply and brilliantly told, Darren Aronofsky's fourth feature is a winner from every possible angle.
Total Film
pressAronofsky’s most authentic film refuses to ridicule the amateur wrestling circuit, while Rourke’s portrait of a has-been will surely be the comeback of the year.
The New York Times
pressLike its hero, the movie has a blunt, exuberant honesty, pulling off even its false moves with conviction and flair.
New Zealand Herald
pressHe goes looking for part of his past, but the result is a cliched and implausible subplot. It's a shame that the price of seeing one of the truly great performances of this or any year is sitting through the dross that contains it.
Newshub
pressSo much more than you might imagine, and with a powerhouse performance full of such vulnerability, gut honesty and tenderness from Mickey Rourke this really is one of the films of the year.
Los Angeles Times
pressThe Wrestler doesn't add up. It's constructed with great care around a lead performance that is everything it could possibly be, but the picture itself is off-putting and disappointing.
Hollywood Reporter
pressBolstered by a career-best performance from Mickey Rourke and outstanding work by Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood.
Empire Magazine
pressAn emotional smackdown. Rourke’s never been better, and the change of pace and texture suits Aronofsky perfectly. The Raging Bull of wrestling movies? Oh, go on then.
Dominion Post
pressI liked this film immensely. I like the way that it has for ever raised the bar for what a sports biopic can be, the way it tells a noisy story with moments of great quietness and insight.
Variety
pressRourke creates a galvanizing, humorous, deeply moving portrait that instantly takes its place among the great, iconic screen performances. An elemental story simply and brilliantly told, Darren Aronofsky's fourth feature is a winner from every possible angle.
Total Film
pressAronofsky’s most authentic film refuses to ridicule the amateur wrestling circuit, while Rourke’s portrait of a has-been will surely be the comeback of the year.
The New York Times
pressLike its hero, the movie has a blunt, exuberant honesty, pulling off even its false moves with conviction and flair.
New Zealand Herald
pressHe goes looking for part of his past, but the result is a cliched and implausible subplot. It's a shame that the price of seeing one of the truly great performances of this or any year is sitting through the dross that contains it.
Newshub
pressSo much more than you might imagine, and with a powerhouse performance full of such vulnerability, gut honesty and tenderness from Mickey Rourke this really is one of the films of the year.
Los Angeles Times
pressThe Wrestler doesn't add up. It's constructed with great care around a lead performance that is everything it could possibly be, but the picture itself is off-putting and disappointing.
Hollywood Reporter
pressBolstered by a career-best performance from Mickey Rourke and outstanding work by Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood.
Empire Magazine
pressAn emotional smackdown. Rourke’s never been better, and the change of pace and texture suits Aronofsky perfectly. The Raging Bull of wrestling movies? Oh, go on then.
Dominion Post
pressI liked this film immensely. I like the way that it has for ever raised the bar for what a sports biopic can be, the way it tells a noisy story with moments of great quietness and insight.
Rourke wrestles the dark night of his soul
Darren Aronofsky delivers again. Whether you see THE WRESTLER as a macho companion piece to BLACK SWAN or a study of one man's self-discovery, this documentary-style film is a powerful, moving and all too human tale. Mickey Rourke revels in his role as the washed-up wrestler. Not for all, this is no popcorn munchers cineplex blockbuster, but a thoughtful,...
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