You’ve heard the buzz, and now you can read it in the trailer for Mickey Rourke’s Darren Aronofsky-directed comeback, The Wrestler. "A harmonic convergence of player and part that happens once in a blue moon… witness the resurrection of Mickey Rourke," says Newsweek’s David Ansen. "Tender, gripping, and altogether remarkable," adds EW’s own Owen Gleiberman. But does the trailer make you a believer?
My answer: yes. Once I got over how much Rourke looks like Tom Berenger (a comeback I’m not ready for), they had me. I’m a sucker for an aging, teary-eyed wrestler, wearing a hearing aid, calling himself an old broken down piece of meat that deserves to be alone, and asking his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) for forgiveness. I’m also loving the Bruce Springsteen song. The man’s voice is like a stamp that reads "The real deal," isn’t it? You buying it?
More on Mickey Rourke and The Wrestler:
Chris Nashawaty’s Oct. ‘08 feature on Mickey Rourke
Mickey Rourke’s essential films
Owen Gleiberman’s initial Toronto Film Festival report on ‘The Wrestler’
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Is EW finally listening to it’s readers because I don’t see one ‘Twilight’ headline in PopWatch, or is it because it hasn’t gotten great reviews?
f-yea i’m buying it! this movie cant come out fast enough. the trailer was amazing! Ive been a huge fan of Aronofsky’s for a while now and he has yet to dissapoint me. Mickey Rourke looks perfect as does Marisa Tomei. The Lead Actor race is gonna be hard one this year.
I think the Wrestler looks great. I was actually really moved by the trailer already and the exchange between him and his daughter (*tear*)
I will go watch it.
It looks great. I don’t care so much about Mickey Rourke, I’m just glad there is a serious movie about professional wrestling. The story looks to be closer in tone to the true life story of Jake “The Snake” Roberts, not Hulk Hogan. This psuedo-sport can be pretty compelling to examine behind all the theatrics.
I felt a mix of incredulity and sadness while I watched this. My exact thought was, “Why is a movie about a pro wrestler making me tear up?” I am really looking forward to this movie, even though it looks like the trailer gives the whole movie, beginning to end, away.
I think the movie looks absolutely fantastic on its own merits. When you add in Rourke’s story and the way it appears to reflect the character, that just takes it to another level.
Can’t wait for this one. Rob Grizzly is right. Pro wrestling is an infinitely compelling subject matter and I’m happy to see a serious director taking it on and making a solid work of fiction (not that I don’t sneak a quick peek at “Ready to Rumble” when it’s on).
I think it looks great too. I like all the actors in it. Good for Mickey Rourke.
I’ve been waiting for this movie for a long time. I’m SO glad Nicholas Cage didn’t do this one. Rourke is perfect in the role! I can’t wait!
I saw it at the Toronto Film Festival in September, and I can’t wait for it to come out so I can see it again – The Wrestler is an absolutely brilliant film from start to finish.
A nice, sweet, tender movie for the holiday season. I want to see it!
can’t wait to see it
looks great. Tomei in a hit movie? And it took Rourke to do it? Where is the eclipse?
Huh. This actually looks spot on and right for Mickey Rourke. And it was a lovely trailer.
reminds me of rocky 6 kind of
I saw it last week and have to say, it’s a hard watch but definitely lives up to the hype. Rourke pours his heart into the character and should win the oscar for sure.
I totally teared up, and seeing that I’m at work, not the best thing in the world. I’m sold.
wow, I have not had a trailer look that compelling in a long time, I agree with who ever said they were moved by the scene with the daughter, brought some tears…looks incredible
“The Wrestler” is the movie that should sweep up many awards…including the Oscars. What a powerful movie! Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Racel Evan Wood are a trio of actors with great acting chops!! And Darren Aronofsky is a superb director as evidenced by “Pi” and “Requiem For A Dream.” Thanks Mr. Aronofsky for casting one of the best actors around Mickey Rourke. This movie I will definitely see and tell my friends to see. I hope only great things come the movie’s way!
Wow, I almost didn’t watch this as I have zero interest in a wrestling movie. But the movie looks amazing. I can’t wait for it to come out.
I hope it’s not too late to add that the article by Chris Nashawaty in EW a few weeks back was some of the best writing I’ve read in a very long time. I was really moved by it and by this trailer. I’m really happy that Mickey Rourke is making movies again (okay, movies that aren’t direct to DVD). I’ve missed him a lot and I’ll definitely go see The Wrestler. I’m actually looking forward to it, even though I normally avoid pro wrestling like a contagious disease.
Absolutely. I cannot wait for this movie. I’m a big Harry Potter fan, very much looking forward to Curious Case of Benjamin Button and several others these upcoming months, but The Wrestler? I think this is the one I am most looking forward to seeing.
This movie looks amazing, and all actors in it deserve a comeback. Besides which do you know how many wrestling fans there are in the world?
@bootsycolumbia
Ditto! I have that article posted at my desk at work.
In recent years, Mickey Rourke has become such an inspiration. I hope this film lives up to those critic’s quotes, because he is truly deserving of major respect in the industry. I am so excited to see this movie; moreso than most others.
It looks really good. Sorta reminds me of Rocky Balboa with a Wrestling backdrop instead of boxing. This will make for a really interesting human interest story if Rourke gets an Oscar nomination.
blog.entertainmenttodayandbeyond.com
I remember sitting in a theater watching Johnny Handsome in 1989. Its amazing how much different Rourke looks now!
chuck
http://blog.entertainmenttodayandbeyond.com/
There’s something so affecting about this trailer, with the story and the Springsteen song and the emotion Rourke is conveying…wow. Beautiful.
I’ve always thought that Mickey Rourke was one of the most talented actors of my generation. “The Wrestler” seems to vindicate that feeling in a big way.
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