Mickey Rourke is simply perfect for the role of Randy "The Ram" Robinson in this remarkable, visceral tale of a washed-up wrestling star. Comparisons to Rourke's own spectacular fall from grace are unavoidable: he turned away from a promising Hollywood career to become a pro-boxer, which resulted in facial injuries, poor plastic surgery and regular bouts of unemployment. All perfect research then for Darren Aronofsky's low-key, almost documentary-style film. The plot sees Robinson taking bouts on the local circuit to pay the rent, then having to reach out to the few women in his empty life after a heart attack forces him to retire from the ring. Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), a stripper, wants to be there for him but is torn by her policy on refusing to date clients, while his angry, abandoned daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) takes a lot more convincing. And still he keeps alive the hope of a final, redemptive comeback bout. It may sound dour, but Rourke gives the role a lovely, flaky humanity, and some unexpected jolts of humour - Robinson's first shift behind a supermarket deli counter is a deadpan delight - make this a brilliantly entertaining character piece.