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The Wrestler (2008)
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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. DW
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Tell us what you think
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Running time
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104min
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Country of origin
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US /Fr
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Genre
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Sports Drama
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Original language
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English
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Screenplay
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Robert Siegel
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Theatrical distributor
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Optimum
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UK cinema certificate
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15
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UK cinema release date
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January 2009
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| awards information |
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Award |
Category |
Name |
Nominee/Winner |
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| Academy 2008 |
Actor in a Leading Role |
Mickey Rourke |
Nominee |
| Academy 2008 |
Actress in a Supporting Role |
Marisa Tomei |
Nominee |
| British Academy Film Awards 2008 |
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role |
Mickey Rourke |
Winner |
| British Academy Film Awards 2008 |
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role |
Marisa Tomei |
Nominee |
| Golden Globe 2008 |
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama |
Mickey Rourke |
Winner |
| Golden Globe 2008 |
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Motion Picture |
Marisa Tomei |
Nominee |
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Film certification logos reproduced by kind permission of BBFC |
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