The Wrestler

When I saw Darren Aronofsky made "The Fountain"; I went to see it but I was a bit disappointed at the time, but he has regained my faith in his skills with his latest film "The Wrestler".  I went to see the movie at night at the Aventura Mall AMC theater, and I must say that it was worth every penny.

"The Wrestler" is the story of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson (Mickey Rourke), an 80's wrestler who is not in the big time anymore but has not given hope of regaining his stardom again.  He basically lives a lonely life as a part time worker at a supermarket and taking jobs on the weekends at little arenas still wrestling, until something bad happens to him in which the doctors tell him he cannot wrestle anymore.  So now he has to struggle in the world with no more wrestling.

Mickey Rourke was at one time believed to be washed up just like his character, but after watching this movie I must tip my hat off to the man.  Rourke has come back in a big way with this film.  He portrays his character very well to a point that as an audience member you feel his pain from beginning to end and you start loving the guy and feeling sorry for him at times.  Mickey Rourke definitely deserved his golden globe win as best actor for this role, he deserved everything given to him for this film.

Darren Aronofsky has directed one of his best films in a couple of years.  This film ranks up there his other greats "Pi" and "Requiem for a Dream".  

What I also love about this film is that it is classic filmmaking 101 with simple lighting, good camera work, great acting with Rourke and Marissa Tomei, great script and terrific directing.  No special effects, just classic filming.  This movie is worth watching at the theaters and not to be missed.

Overall rating: 5 out of 5