The Wrestler: A blog discussing the movie The Wrestler and why it is a great role for Mickey Rourke, who just about everyone has never heard of.
Mickey Rourke is a strange actor. He was once a lead in movies like “9 1/2 Weeks” and “Diner,” but these days he’s mostly known for his small roles in big budget flicks such as Sin City and Iron Man 2. But what you may not know, is that Mickey Rourke has been working on his own comeback, one that seems to be starting to pay off.
Rourke has always been an actor with a lot of skill; he has shown this time and again with his ability to play well against type, such as when he played Marv in Sin City. His most recent role is that of Randy “The Ram” Robinson in the film “The Wrestler.” This movie is one of the most interesting I’ve seen in a long time, and the way Mickey Rourke portrays Randy is nothing short of amazing.
In “The Wrestler,” Rourke plays an old pro-wrestler who had his glory days in the 1980s but now must work as a deli clerk to support himself. He takes part in wrestling matches at
The Wrestler is a movie starring Mickey Rourke as Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a 1980’s wrestler who had his day in the sun and now performs in high school gymnasiums and retirement homes. The Ram has a heart attack and realizes that he must quit wrestling.
Mickey Rourke is the perfect actor to play The Ram. He had a great career as an actor in the 1980s but then began to have problems with drugs and alcohol. By 2002, after only two appearances on film (1998’s Buffalo ‘66 and 2001’s Spun), he was almost forgotten. I was so impressed with his performance in Buffalo ‘66 that I told my friends he would be the next Marlon Brando if he cleaned up his act. But it didn’t happen.
Now Mickey Rourke has finally gotten it together, got sober, and made The Wrestler; it is his comeback role. He was nominated for Best Actor Oscars by both the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild for his performance in this film — and rightly so!
The Wrestler is a 2008 film starring Mickey Rourke as Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a professional wrestler who is in the twilight of his career. This film is directed by Darren Aronofsky and was released on December 17, 2008. It has been nominated for many awards, including two Golden Globes and two Academy Awards. This film also gave Mickey Rourke the comeback he deserved in a role that suited him perfectly.
In the wrestling world Randy “The Ram” Robinson is a legend. But like most legends, he is past his prime and no one really wants to see him anymore. He has to take on part-time jobs just to make ends meet such as working at a supermarket or stripping down cars for parts in order to sell them. His career is beginning to catch up with him, though, and his body is starting to break down. With doctor bills piling up and his daughter not speaking to him anymore, this man can only find solace in the ring where he feels normal.
Mickey Rourke was known as one of the hottest actors of the 80s but then fell off the face of the earth when it came to acting in films that people would actually want to see. In 2005 though, Mickey Rourke
Mickey Rourke has been in the headlines of late for his work in The Wrestler, but most people don’t know it’s not the first time he’s played that role.
Rourke has made a long and difficult road back from obscurity following his departure from wrestling to pursue an acting career. Upon returning to the ring, Rourke lost his last three fights in a row, including one by knockout. He was expected to retire after that, but instead he fought again and won. He hasn’t fought since, so it remains to be seen if he’ll return again.
Rourke was born Phil “Mickey” Rourke on September 16, 1952 in Schenectady, New York. His father was a professional wrestler and his mother was an amateur boxer. As you can tell from his name, he grew up in a family where the two sports were very important.
Rourke got into boxing at an early age and quickly became known as “The Kid.” He was a talented amateur boxer and won several championships before turning pro at the age of 18. It didn’t take him long to make an impression as a professional; he knocked out all four of his opponents in the first round before losing his first fight in 1980.
Rourke would go
The Wrestler is one of the most powerful and moving films I’ve seen in years. It’s also a perfect showcase for an actor who has never been more brilliant: Mickey Rourke.
I say that despite the fact that Rourke is practically the only recognizable face in Darren Aronofsky’s film, which premiered earlier this week at the Venice Film Festival, where it was greeted with a nine-minute standing ovation. (The Wrestler is also screening at the Toronto Film Festival and will open this fall.) This isn’t exactly a glowing endorsement for his acting ability—I mean, who else is there? But it’s precisely what makes Rourke’s performance so remarkable. Neither a typical comeback nor an ordinary biopic, The Wrestler is something much better: a raw, unvarnished story of a man struggling to survive, who just happens to be a washed-up professional wrestler named Randy “The Ram” Robinson. Sound familiar? There are certain parallels between Rourke and his character, though I wouldn’t dare go so far as to call this a vanity piece or an exercise in self-aggrandizement. Instead, it’s something relatively rare in Hollywood these days: an honest portrayal of humanity at its worst and best.
In other
