The Wrestler does not disappoint

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February 12, 2009

By NATALIA JONES The Daily Register Thu Feb 12, 2009, 01:53 PM CST

If you can get past how bad Mickey Rourke’s face looks in “The Wrestler,” then you might actually enjoy the film.

All jabs aside, “The Wrestler” does seem to serve as the perfect platform for Rourke’s return to the box office.

Rourke’s character in the film, Randy “The Ram” Robinson, isn’t much different from the actor himself.

Best known for his roles in “Body Heat,” “Diner,” “9 1/2 Weeks” and “Barfly,” it’s been over 10 years since Rourke has appeared onscreen. A once promising acting career in the 80s was soon diminished by his bad boy antics as Rourke turned in his movie role credits for boxing gloves.

During the 90s, while Rourke was in his 30s, he decided to box professionally. But what was supposed to be a one time match, soon turned into a 5 year career. When all was said and done, Rourke came out of the ordeal older and hardly recognizable. Reportedly his nose was so badly broken, that he had to have over five operations to try and restore it. Looks like he also had one or two botch face lifts to me, but what do I know.

Now 56 years old, Rourke plays a 40 something wrestler who once made the big time, but is now past his prime and holding onto a dream of what was.

Perhaps anyone could have gained 35 pounds of muscle, trained for three months and performed most of his own stunts for the role of “The Ram,” but only Rourke could pull of “The Wrestler” persona. He’s a character in himself which is perhaps why so many people have shown interest in the film.

Rourke isn’t exactly what I would consider “a normal guy,” so it’s fitting for him to play a guy who finds it so difficult to accept the mundaneness of his older years. This film is gritty and real. There are no bells or whistles, which is surprising considering it’s based on a sport chalked full of flashy and flamboyant costumes and over the top routines. But it’s simplistic feel makes it easier for the audience to relate to a character/actor who is anything but ordinary.

To spark even more interest in the film, Rourke has been nominated as Golden Globe Best Actor and recently claimed he would join Wrestlemania 25 on April 5 in Houston. However, after much hoopla about how serious he was, his official rep recently said in a statement that, “Mickey was very honored to be asked, as he has the greatest respect for WWE. However he will not be participating in WrestleMania...He is focusing entirely on his acting career.”

Looks like your best shot to see Rourke in the ring again is to go see “The Wrestler” for yourself which is now in theaters. While “The Ram’s” wrestling days may be over, Rourke may just get his second chance in acting with this knock-out film.

This film is rated R for violence, sexuality/nudity, language and some drug use.

**** out of ***** stars.

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