The Wrestler (2008)

Written by Nikki Baughan Saturday, 07 February 2009 00:00

Theatrical

Mickey Rourke shines in cinematic smackdown...

Film history is littered with comebacks. From Katharine Hepburn, who turned her flagging career around with a self-deprecating performance in The Philadelphia Story, to John Travolta, who morphed from laughable Look Who’s Talking clown to the King of Cool with Pulp Fiction, it seems audiences love giving fallen stars a second chance – as long as they pick the right role, of course. And Mickey Rourke has done just that, as his portrayal of ageing wrestler Randy ‘The Ram’ Robinson has not only bagged him a Golden Globe award and BAFTA nomination (and, most likely, an Oscar nod), but also proves to be one of the greatest comebacks of modern cinema.

Those who remember Rourke as the pretty boy from 9 1/2 Weeks are going to be in for a shock, as years of professional fighting have made the actor virtually unrecognizable. But his powerful screen presence and phenomenal performance instantly override any superficial surprise, as you can’t help but invest in his strong characterisation. The Ram is an ageing wrestler now working in a grocery story, well past his professional prime but still trying to capture the glory by taking part in small fights. When he suffers a life-changing setback, however, he attempts to connect both with his estranged daughter (Wood) and his favourite stripper (Tomei). But when he’s offered a high-profile rematch with his old nemesis, he struggles to choose between living a quiet life and continuing to chase his dreams possible stardom.

After the spiritual etherealness of his 2006 brain-bender The Fountain, director Darren Aronofsky serves up a visceral, brawny, brutal and physical portrait of a man desperately trying to find some meaning in a life that has been anything but normal. By taking a risk with his leading man, and letting Rourke and the story speak for themselves, Aronofsky never overcomplicates proceedings or leads it into melodrama. And his cast is excellent, with Wood and Tomei providing excellent, well-pitched support.

But this is, of course, Rourke’s moment. As the increasingly desperate and bewildered Ram he is aggressive and vulnerable, frightening and sympathetic as he struggles to find a place in a world that’s leaving him behind. And although there are some moments in The Wrestler that are difficult to watch, Rourke is absolutely fascinating from beginning to end. Welcome back.

5 stars

ROLL CREDITS...
Stars Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood
Director Darren Aronofsky
Screenplay Robert D Siegel
Certificate 15
Distributor Optimum Releasing
Running Time 1hr 49mins
Opened January 16, 2009

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Having relaunched in 2010 with the promise of delivering solid horror films for a modern audience, the output from the rebooted Hammer Films has been something of a mixed bag. While its inaugural release, remake Let Me In, was received with great fanfare, subsequent films The Resident and Wake Wood have been less successful. So with its first big release, The Woman in Black, Hammer has much to prove – and has piled on the pressure by choosing to adapt a story that’s not only a bestselling novel but also a long running West End play.

An additional challenge is that tale is so effective because of its simplicity; there are no big set pieces for a filmmaker to hide behind. So it’s reassuring to see that, while some elements of Susan Hill’s story have been tweaked to give it more of a cinematic scope, the narrative runs fairly true. At its heart is young lawyer Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) who, still reeling from the death of his wife in childbirth four years previously, is sent to a remote village in order to organise the paperwork at the isolated Eel Marsh House. On his arrival he finds the locals most unwelcoming, believing that anyone disturbing the peace at the house brings tragedy to the village. Although initially sceptical, Kipps soon discovers that the mansion holds horrifying secrets, and that one of its former occupants is determined to exact terrifying revenge…

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