Comeback for Rourke

"After many years in the wilderness and being considered MIA professionally, Mickey Rourke, just like the washed-up character he plays, attempts a return to the big show in The Wrestler," writes Variety's Todd McCarthy in a review posted early this evening.

"Not only does he pull it off, but Rourke creates a galvanizing, humorous, deeply moving portrait that instantly takes its place among the great, iconic screen performances. An elemental story simply and brilliantly told, Darren Aronofsky's fourth feature is a winner from every possible angle, although it will require deft handling by a smart distributor to overcome public preconceptions about Rourke, the subject matter and the nature of the film.

"Co-produced by Wild Bunch in France, where Rourke has retained his most loyal following through thick and thin, this is nonetheless an American picture through and through, beginning with the way it strongly evokes the gritty working-class atmosphere of numerous '70s dramas.

"Spare but vital, and with the increasingly arty mannerisms of Aronofsky's previous work completely stripped away, the film has the clarity and simplicity of a great Hemingway short story -- there's nothing extraneous, the characters must face up to their limited options in life, and the dialogue in Robert Siegel's superior script is inflected with the poetry of the everyday."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on September 4, 2008 at 9:50 PM

comment #1

Hallick Author Profile Page says ...

"After many years in the wilderness and being considered MIA professionally, Mickey Rourke, just like the washed-up character he plays, attempts a return to the big show in The Wrestler"

Jesus, wasn't he just in Sin City and Domino doing the same thing a couple of years ago? Why make it sound like the second coming of Dolph Lundgren?

Posted by Hallick Author Profile Page at September 4, 2008 10:09 PM

comment #2

JohnCope Author Profile Page says ...

Awesome. A win of some sort will help.

Posted by JohnCope Author Profile Page at September 4, 2008 10:13 PM

comment #3

figaso Author Profile Page says ...

I weep in relief! Mick is back!

Posted by figaso Author Profile Page at September 4, 2008 10:34 PM

comment #4

D.Z. Author Profile Page says ...

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117991656.html?categoryid=2508&cs=1

Posted by D.Z. Author Profile Page at September 4, 2008 10:41 PM

comment #5

BurmaShave Author Profile Page says ...

He's obviously much stranger, but his time in the wilderness wasn't that much longer than Brando's, maybe only 7 years. And obviously villains in Van Damme movies isn't comparable to REFLECTIONS IN A GOLDEN EYE or THE CHASE, but still, I think Rourke's career will be looked back upon very positively. DINER, POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE, BARFLY, ANGEL HEART, SIN CITY. An oscar nod, of which he was robbed for SIN, would be a great validation for one of Hollywood's boldest and strangest iconoclasts.

Posted by BurmaShave Author Profile Page at September 4, 2008 11:03 PM

comment #6

Dan Revill Author Profile Page says ...

Firstly, I love Aronofsky's films - even the hard to watch Requiem for a Dream. Can't wait for this one.

Secondly, DZ, can you get your own blog where we can ignore your non sequiturs more easily?

Posted by Dan Revill Author Profile Page at September 4, 2008 11:04 PM

comment #7

BurmaShave Author Profile Page says ...

God I sound like his manager, but he's truly one of my favorites. Also awesome this decade in THE PLEDGE, SPUN and MASKED AND ANONYMOUS. Nothing better can be said of an actor then that he's almost always a highlight despite the quality of a film. Now I sound like his mom.

Posted by BurmaShave Author Profile Page at September 4, 2008 11:05 PM

comment #8

Jeremy Smith Author Profile Page says ...

I'm afraid the early reviews are overhyping this one, but it's so very easy to love (and so much of that has to do with Rourke).

Though it's true that Rourke has been "back" for a while now, we haven't seen him truly dominate as a lead since... JOHNNY HANDSOME? BARFLY? The Rourke that turns up in this movie was presumed dead after WILD ORCHID.

Posted by Jeremy Smith Author Profile Page at September 4, 2008 11:23 PM

comment #9

Marty Melville Author Profile Page says ...

Fingers crossed for the great Rourke and his second act.

Posted by Marty Melville Author Profile Page at September 4, 2008 11:32 PM

comment #10

vansmith Author Profile Page says ...

Hallick- "the second coming of Dolph Lundgren." ha ha...rourke gets steady work and he's menacing as usual, this one might have some emotional heft..what about eric roberts in dark knight now thats a second coming...and a good one...

Posted by vansmith Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 1:07 AM

comment #11

YRG Author Profile Page says ...

Yes, Mickey Rourke has been coming back for years.

Posted by YRG Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 5:27 AM

comment #12

mutinyco Author Profile Page says ...

I WILL DESTROY HIM!!!

Posted by mutinyco Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 9:19 AM

comment #13

Joshua Mooney Author Profile Page says ...

In recent weeks, I've watched Diner, Pope/Greenwich, Body Heat and Barfly again. Just by chance. Didn't plan to see so much of Rourke, but there he was, and he was damn good in all of 'em. So I'm looking forward to "The Wrestler." If he's to have a second act, I won't complain.

Posted by Joshua Mooney Author Profile Page at September 5, 2008 10:17 AM

comment #14

Lars Author Profile Page says ...

Can anyone seriously imagine ANY other actor playing this part? He really looks like a professional wrestler (via Dog the Bounty Hunter). I think it's going to be an amazing performance, from an actor who, while admittedly weird, has turned in brilliant performances time and time again. As far as I'm concerned, when he's killed in Sin City the movie isn't worth watching anymore. THAT was a comeback. This movie looks more like a brave confirmation.

Posted by Lars Author Profile Page at September 6, 2008 2:51 AM

comment #15

Dave Polands Gut Author Profile Page says ...

Did any actor ruin themselves with bad plastic surgery quite like the Mick?

Posted by Dave Polands Gut Author Profile Page at September 8, 2008 8:39 AM

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