Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Ernest "The Cat" Miller, Gregg Bello
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Screenwriter: Darren Aronofsky, Robert Siegel
Producer: Scott Franklin
Composer: Clint Mansell
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
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Years removed from his glory days as a professional wrestler, Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) works in a grocery store and nurses a crush on a stripper (Marisa Tomei). With the opportunity for a rematch 20 years after his bout with the Ayatollah, the Ram works to get into fighting shape and attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood).
The buzz: There are more than a few parallels between the self-destructive Ram and Rourke, who's landed his juiciest part in 20 years. That could be why there's already lots of talk about him not just landing a Best Actor nod, but maybe even winning.
The verdict: A strong shot at becoming a sports movie classic. The plot of "The Wrestler" doesn't go anywhere unexpected, but Rourke discovers surprising depth in a man that has plenty going on underneath his tough exterior. This is also the first ray of a sense of humor from director Darren Aronofsky ("The Fountain," "Requiem for a Dream"), who not only understands people losing control of their lives but how an over-the-hill guy like the Ram is just trying not to go down the decline too fast. Sometimes great stories are all in the details, and "The Wrestler" feels so rich and lived-in that its standard set-ups turn into universal truths that bleed and heal.
Did you know? Before the rematch, "Ayatollah" is selling used cars. You choose if that makes him more or less scary.
