It's inarguable that Mickey Rourke is playing himself in this film but that doesn't make his performance any less moving. I shed a couple of tears and I don't do that often. You watch Rourke on screen as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, and it's almost impossible to believe that that ruined face belongs to the same actor who made women swoon in movies like Diner and The Pope of Greenwich Village two decades ago. Conversely, Marisa Tomei has aged beautifully, if at all, and delivers a sympathetic and scintillating performance as The Ram's love interest - an aging stripper named Cassidy who is past her prime and almost ready to hang up her G-string. I found the movie uplifting but it doesn't go for an easy or obvious ending. Highly recommended.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2009-01/44475840.jpg

Very glad to hear that! I've been wanting to see this, just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Just came back from seeing this and ...well, damn, it's a good movie. I can't recall a movie where the conflict doesn't come from making anyone the bad guy - I came away liking, or at least having empathy for nearly everyone (with the exception of the little prick who runs the grocery store, even he wasn't all that bad). It's interesting that ALL the wrestlers are portrayed as treating each other super-decently. Had me tearing up in several places and left me feeling like I'd really been through something, witnessed a hard ride to the end.

I guess I'll see how this movie hangs with me, and though I have personal favorites in different genres, this one might ...might end up being one of my all time favorites. Not sure if he'll like it, but I'm thinking about taking my Dad to see it while it's still in a theater.

I highly recommend.

John O.

Scott,

I'm sure you know who plays Rourke's daughter in "The Wrestler."

Scott,

I'm sure you know who plays Rourke's daughter in "The Wrestler."

Yama - Marilyn Manson's ex-girlfriend, I believe.;)

How ya' doin', Bro?

"Marilyn Manson's ex-girlfriend, I believe"

100% correct. But did you know that's Ira David Wood III's daughter?

--Hawg (who's doing' fine and livin' large).

"Marilyn Manson's ex-girlfriend, I believe"

100% correct. But did you know that's Ira David Wood III's daughter?

--Hawg (who's doing' fine and livin' large).


Hawg - yeah, my wife knows David fairly well actually. And I read a quote from Rachel that playing the role in the movie had brought herself and her father closer together after some serious estrangement. Apparently he wasn't real happy with the prospect of Marilyn Manson as a potential Son-In-Law.

Back in the day, I did a number of programs at TIP with David (Othello, Julius Caesar, Richard II, Merchant of Venice, Cyrano de Bergerac, Amadeus). David's ex (Rachel's mom) starred in a number of these. She also played my girlfriend in Sam Shepard's "Fool For Love." Great, great girl. Huge talent.

I don't like wrestling movies, but I'm sure I'd find Marissa Tomei as a stripper uplifting as well!

Back in the day, I did a number of programs at TIP with David (Othello, Julius Caesar, Richard II, Merchant of Venice, Cyrano de Bergerac, Amadeus). David's ex (Rachel's mom) starred in a number of these. She also played my girlfriend in Sam Shepard's "Fool For Love." Great, great girl. Huge talent.

Hawg - I worked with David way back in the day on a television project down at the Outer Banks. He had just started dating Sarah at that point and she accompanied him on the trip. She was very quiet socially but boy what a beauty!

I don't like wrestling movies, but I'm sure I'd find Marissa Tomei as a stripper uplifting as well!

John - you most certainly would. Let's just say that Ms. Tomei commits herself to a very honest portrayal both emotionally and physically.

I don't like wrestling movies, but I'm sure I'd find Marissa Tomei as a stripper uplifting as well!

JP--Down, Boy! lol

I don't like wrestling movies,

You mean there's more than one wrestling movie? What made this unique for me is that I'd never heard of one before. FWIW, it's really not a wrestling movie (not that I have anything to compare it to), that is, it's not about wrestling. It about a lot of things, but what I took away is "who you are in your bones" vs. "what you will endure to get by", "what's the breaking point of your dignity?" stuff like that... Mickey Rourke's character is rough and flawed, by he has a sort of inner grace in the face of constant humiliation.


but I'm sure I'd find Marissa Tomei as a stripper uplifting as well! Seriously ...I have no words. I'll try. Amazing actress. I'll stop there.

John O.

Actually, I take it back, I liked one wrestling movie - "All the Marbles" with Laurene Landon and Vicki Frederick. Yum. :)

MK's is slated to be Whiplash in the ironman 2 flick
well see.......