The Wrestler

[Gump]

This is a good movie elevated to the status of great due to the performance of Mickey Rourke. MR put his heart and soul into this character and it was impossible not to be mesmerized by his every move on the screen.

The story is about the personal trials and tribulations of a once great professional wrestler who is now passed his prime and simply can't let go of his passion for the "sport" that has been his whole life.

Co-star Marisa Tomei immerses herself in the role of a stripper to an extent that surprised me a bit, but she also turns in an excellent supporting role.

But, the star of the show is definitely Mr. Rourke. Despite its main topic, this movie is refreshingly understated and is simply an insight into the life of a man that is now facing his own demise and the limits of his mortality. He is painfully aware that he has made some mistakes in his life and is now left with the prospect of clumsily trying to change things. But, change is never easy...

Grade: A-

[audioqueso]

I want to watch this movie, but one thing I'm curious about. Why did everyone (even the DVD cover) say that this is Mickey Rourke's return? When did he ever go away?

[George Bellefontaine]

I want to watch this movie, but one thing I'm curious about. Why did everyone (even the DVD cover) say that this is Mickey Rourke's return? When did he ever go away?

He sorta thumbed his nose at Hollywood awhile back and the good parts (think Rumble Fish or The Pope Of Greenwich Village ) stopped coming his way. If you look back at some of his early work and compare it with some of the less notable parts ( think Get Carter, the remake ) he was given the past 10 years or so, you sort of see The Wrestler as a comeback. I found myself mesmerized by his performance in The Wrestler, proving to me me and many out there that Rourke was and still is one helluva an actor.

The Wrestler has a prominent place in my Blu-ray collection. :T :T :T :T

[1oldguy]

I will have to check this movie out.I always liked MR acting.Sad thing is since he had the Plastic surgery he doesn't look like himself.When I first say the trailer for the Wrestler I wondered who it was.
The same thing happened to the actress in Dirty Dancing.I forget her name,Jennifer maybe?She had a nose job and lost so many roles because of looking so different.

[George Bellefontaine]

When I first saw the trailer for the Wrestler I wondered who it was.

Yeah, my wife didn't recognize him at all. I had seen him in a few recent movies like Get Carter and Once Upon A Time In Mexico, so I knew what to expect. He had his nose and face all hammered to hell from his days as a boxer, thus the reason for the plastic surgery.

[1oldguy]

Yeah, my wife didn't recognize him at all. I had seen him in a few recent movies like Get Carter and Once Upon A Time In Mexico, so I knew what to expect. He had his nose and face all hammered to hell from his days as a boxer, thus the reason for the plastic surgery.

I plan on staying out of fights for that very :T reason :B :rofl:

[btf1980]

I always liked Mickey. A lot of people always talk about his lack of decent roles, but they always forget that he had a lead role in Sin City! Of course his character looked nothing like him, but it was him nonetheless.

[1oldguy]

I Agree,He was terrific in Sin City.Can't imagine anyone else playing that role.

[Chris D]

... which by the way is now coming out on Blu Ray. Looking forward to Sin City 2, also.

[audioqueso]

He sorta thumbed his nose at Hollywood awhile back and the good parts (think Rumble Fish or The Pope Of Greenwich Village ) stopped coming his way.

Ahhhh... learn something new everyday. Interesting. Thanks George.

... which by the way is now coming out on Blu Ray. Looking forward to Sin City 2, also.

Ha ha... you sound like a salesman! :B (only joking)

[Gump]

....He had his nose and face all hammered to hell from his days as a boxer, thus the reason for the plastic surgery.

Interesting George, I always thought he got into boxing later in life actually to counter the effects of the bad plastic surgery.

I remember him in "Angel Heart" and then a very bizarre but fascinating role in "Barfly" both from the late 80's. He also had a small role as the lawyer in "Man on Fire" with Denzel Washington more recently.

Looks like this role in "The Wrestler" has him back in HollyWood's good graces, he appears to have alot of projects in the works for 2010, including a role in IronMan 2.

[1oldguy]

Iron man 2 .....Can't wait for that one.Good Call.

[Chris D]

Really? Mickey Rourke is in Iron Man 2? Can't wait for that movie, although Rourke wouldn't have much affect for me.

Huh... on IMDB, it says that he is rumored to be in "Rambo V" coming up

I always think of him from his role in "Wild Orchid".

[1oldguy]

Don't know if your a Fan Of the X-Men But the spin off 'Wolverine" will be in the Theaters this weekend.This is one of the big movies of the summer.

[btf1980]

Don't know if your a Fan Of the X-Men But the spin off 'Wolverine" will be in the Theaters this weekend.This is one of the big movies of the summer.

Indeed, May is a big blockbuster month as a mere 3 weeks after the Wolverine movie, the new Terminator movie with Christian Bale will be out.

[1oldguy]

Forgot about T4 .........Next month will be a Blast.Perfect.

[Race Car Driver]

Forgot about T4 .........Next month will be a Blast.Perfect.

Yea, may is gonna be huge IMO..

5/1 X-Men Orgins: Wolverine

5/7-8 Star Trek

5/15 Angels and Demons

5/21 T-4

5/29 Drag me to Hell, for the horror flick peoples

All look to be amazing movies, can't wait!! :T

Now, back to the wrestler. Ill be picking up the BR this week. Looks very good.

[David Meek]

My favorite roles of his were in Desperate Hours, White Sands, The Last Outlaw and of course Sin City.

[George Bellefontaine]

He was also good as the cop in Michael Cimino's Year Of The Dragon. Also interesting as Kim Basinger's weird boyfriend in 9 1/2 Weeks. Actually, the guy made a lot of really good films in his early career.

[David Meek]

Oh yeah, I forgot Year Of The Dragon. That's a tough gritty little movie.

[Chris D]

I saw this movie on an international flight this past week. Interestingly enough, KLM (Dutch airline) showed it completely uncut. Every scene.

Thought it was a good movie, but not quite up to the level of all the hooplah about it lately. I enjoyed it, gave it :4: on Netflix.