Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Mark Margolis, Todd Barry
2008-09-07
Aging wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson is long past his prime but still ready and rarin' to go on the pro-wrestling circuit. After a particularly brutal beating, however, Randy hangs up his tights, pursues a serious relationship with a long-in-the-tooth stripper, and tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter. But he can't resist the lure of the ring and readies himself for a comeback.
Now, this ain't your typical high-octane actioner, but it sure did make an impression on me. Rourke's portrayal of an aging wrestler was something else - raw, gritty, and surprisingly moving. The wrestling scenes were intense, but it was the quieter moments that really stuck with me. It's a far cry from my usual picks, but it was a reminder that life's struggles can make for a powerful tale. A solid, if unexpected, choice.
