How to win an Oscar by ruining your face and being mentally unstable: The Wrestler Review

There are some roles that are just made for an actor. Mickey Rourke's turn as Randy "the Ram", a washed up wrestler from the 80's, is one of those roles. Rourke himself was a big star in the 80's, falling into obscurity after becoming a professional boxer and a few mildly psychotic episodes on the set of various films. Now, he's a major Oscar contender. Rourke is Randy "The Ram." Without Rourke, the film wouldn't have had nearly the same amount of power or effectiveness. He has lived the life of Randy the Ram. I mean, just look at his face, before and after his turn as a professional boxer in the 90's:
The Wrestler follows the daily life of Randy "The Ram," as he performs at second rate wrestling shows in school gymnasiums, gets locked out his trailer, and works at a local grocery store. His relationship with his daughter is pretty horrible, and though he tries to mend it, things go awry when he gets distracted by a little bit of coke and some skank with a fetish for firemen. His only friend/love interest is the stripper single mom, Marisa Tomei. Who also does a fine job in the film. Anyways, Randy learns that he has a heart condition after a very violent and visually disturbing wrestling match with some guy that involves barbed wire, a staple gun, and a ladder, and thus decides to give up wrestling and attempt to live a normal life. Will his new life last? Or will he return to the ring, putting his life at risk? You will just have to watch the movie to find out. And I certainly recommend you watch this movie. Rourke really has the best performance of the year.

Suffice it to say, I really enjoyed this film due to 4 major things: it was depressing, it really gave a nice sense of realism, Rourke was awesome, and it was fantastically directed by Aronofsky. Aronofsky really knows how to shoot messed up, horribly depressing movies (see Requiem for a Dream). If Rourke doesn't pick up the Oscar for best actor, then something is seriously wrong with the Academy. I give The Wrestler 4 Meryls.