Mickey Rourke plays Randy ‘The Ram’ Robinson; 80s wrestling icon. Money, fame, adoration, and respect all came with the territory for this golden-haired hulk of the squared circle. His pay-per-view match with arch nemesis, The Ayatollah, would go down in wrestling folklore as one of the greats.
Fast forward twenty years and Randy, also known by his given name, Robin, is a struggling part-time wrestler - a shadow of his former self. Despite his inability to pull in the legions of fans as he once could, The Ram still tries to make as honest a living as best he can; albeit living out of a caravan.
Cassidy the Stripper
Following a hardcore match involving an array of sharp implements and unconventional weaponry, Randy suffers a heart attack which nearly kills him. His spirit deflated, and fearing that he may die alone, Randy resolves to finally retire from the wrestling circuit, and live life as a regular guy.
Enter Randy’s love interest Cassidy, played by veteran starlet Marisa Tomei (Anger Management). The attractive stripper is on her way out of her game because the younger male audience feel she’s way past her use-by date. Randy’s newly discovered bond with Cassidy gives him the vigor to reconcile his tattered relationship with his estranged daughter, Stephanie; Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen).
The Squared-Circle Beckons
When an attempted relationship with the equally fragile Cassidy is rendered futile, and his repetitious disappointments towards his daughter force Stephanie to cut him out of her life permanently, Randy accepts the challenge to re-match The Ayatollah on the 20th anniversary of their famed bout. Going against his doctors advise, Randy puts it all on the line for one more shot at fame.
The Wrestling Fans’ ‘Rocky Balboa’
It’s the Wrestler’s version of ‘Rocky Balboa’, a has been puts it all on the line for one more shot at the big time. Rourke is magnificent in a role he seemed destined to play. Following up on his stand-out performance in ‘Sin City’, Rourke shows that he has definitely not lost the allure that made him so popular in the mid 80’s to early 90’s.
What is so uncanny about Robert D Siegel’s story is that The Ram’s journey parallels that of Rourke, who until recent times, had been lost in the Hollywood abyss, lying somewhere in a scrap heap next to Emilio Estevez and Chevy Chase. Rourke’s portrayal sees the successful resurrection to a yet promising career, and his performance has received due acclaim, having snared the Best Actor Award at this year’s Golden Globes.
The Verdict
If you haven’t made a trip to the cinema yet in 09’, make this film your first visit. Wrestling fans will adore the subject matter, despite Rourke’s character being fictional, and all audiences will be surprised and impressed with the deep, awe inspiring flavor of the fable.
5/5 Stars
Cast
- Mickey Rourke
- Marisa Tomei
- Evan Rachel Wood
Writer: Robert D Siegal
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Producer: Darren Aronofsky/Scott Franklin
Fox Searchlight (MA-115 Minutes)
Filmography information sourced from www.imdb.com
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