Rourke awesome in ‘The Wrestler’

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Cast: Mickey Rourke, Even Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei

Cert: 16

Suddenly Rourke is hot, hot, hot again and starring magnificently in a film that might well have been based on his own life.

If he doesn’t get (at the very least) an Oscar nomination, the game’s not straight.

He plays The Ram, a one-time big-time wrestler now fallen on hard times what with him reduced to the gutter circuit, having to take part-time work in a shop, living in a trailer park, suffering from heart problems, addicted to drugs and booze and hanging out with a stripper (Tomei) … hard times indeed.

But needing money for his estranged daughter’s future he decides on one last throw of the dice, or rather of his long-time rival.

Redemption is the theme of what is a wonderfully crafted and totally human film that comes to us rich in passion, compassion, insight and humour.

Really, you couldn’t ask for more … and for such a dramatic comeback.

Star Rating: 5/5