Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler.”
I finally got my wish and “The Wrestler” came to town. It’s showing at Prime 11 Cinemas in Anderson.
I’ve long been a fan of Mickey Rourke and I’m pleased he’s been nominated for an Oscar for his role as Randy “The Ram” Robinson in “The Wrestler.” His brilliant work in the film is another example of why he’s one of the finest actors of his generation.
Like just about everything Rourke has done in film, this performance sticks in your head and won’t shake out. He’s so good and has so much charisma. It’s almost stunning how natural he seems at the craft.
In his early years he was beautiful and good. But he rejected acting and fell off the planet. He became a professional boxer and lived hard. It shows. All you have to do is look at his face.
“The Wrestler” is a good solid film (not spectacular), but it’s a terrific showcase for Rourke.
The scenes of him working at the deli counter in a supermarket are simply classic. He’s been to the top as a pro wrestler, but at this stage in his life, he has nothing to show for it. He’s just trying to hang onto his dignity and sanity and do a simple job. Yet, because of who he is and what he is, it all falls apart (splatters, actually).
There aren’t that many actors who can continually get under your skin like this. That’s why people like Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp say that Mickey Rourke blows their minds.
From back in the day, my favorite Rourke films include “Angel Heart,” “Barfly,” and “Diner.” He was also in “Rumble Fish” and “The Pope of Greenwich Village.” I even loved him in this odd mob film “Year of the Dragon.” Of course, there’s the heartthrob film “91/2 Weeks.” Also recently, he was in the stylistic “Sin City.”
“Angel Heart.”
Something was written recently about Rourke always wearing sunglasses because when people see his eyes, they see everything. All the pain and all the life are right there in his eyes. He needs to hide that a bit.
He’s always had this incredible vulnerability that’s apparent and runs alongside his bad-ass, machismo. Maybe he kicked the crap out of himself in life just to prove that he really was tough.
I think he’s one of those people who just “has it” as an actor. I hope he doesn’t make some poor decisions in life or with his career and start to spin out again. (I’m not sure he needed to take a gig in Wrestlemania. Warning!)
The incredible Robert Downey Jr. has his life and career on track right now. I wish the same for Rourke.
He’s “wrestled” with his fair share of demons in life. But I want to see him on screen more.
