Rourke masterful in ‘The Wrestler’
29/05/2009 - 20:19:00Cert 15
104 mins
Drama/Romance
Following years of physical wear and tear in the wrestling ring, veteran bruiser Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is struggling to keep up with the pace of low-paid exhibition matches.
After one gruelling bout, he suffers chest pains and is told that unless he rests up, his heart will give up entirely. Forced to live in the real world for a change, Randy ekes out a meagre living in a supermarket, strives to reconnect with his estranged daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood) and pursues a romance with lap dancer Cassidy (Marisa Tomei).
However, the lure of the wrestling ring proves too great. The Wrestler is a mesmerising account of one man’s painful quest to realise his dreams at any cost.
Packing the sort of hefty emotional punch suggested by its title, Darren Aronofsky’s hard-hitting drama knocks us out with its stellar cast, unfussy direction and heart-wrenching dialogue, with Rourke as the beating heart of the picture.
Star Rating: 4/5.
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