From All Movie Guide: You don't need to be a fan of wrestling or hair metal to enjoy The Wrestler -- director Darren Aronofsky's poignant glimpse into the life of an aging, broken brawler grappling with failing health and memories of fame long after his glory days have dissipated -- just great acting and assured storytelling. A variation on the Requiem for a Heavyweight model, only set in a different ring, the emotionally resonant drama finds Mickey Rourke (an actor who worked for a time as a professional boxer off-camera) lacing up his boots and following in the footsteps of Anthony Quinn and Jack Palance to remarkable effect, and Rourke feels custom-suited for its hard-living headliner. Hardcore wrestling aficionados will be happy to see a film that deals honestly with the darker side of a sport that takes a heavy physical toll even when the moves are orchestrated, and film lovers will be rooting for Rourke thanks to his complex portrayal of a former god among men forced to confront his own mortality.

<...

more