“The Wrestler” has yet to screen at the Venice Film Festival, but press screenings at the Toronto Film Festival have already taken place and the word is good on both Darren Aronofsky’s film and the rumored stellar performance that Mickey Rourke apparently put in.
Oscar talk? We always wait til we actually see the film to get involved in that early speculative nonsense. Variety’s Todd McCarthy raves with one to the breadbasket.
“Talk about comebacks. After many years in the wilderness and being considered MIA professionally, Mickey Rourke, just like the washed-up character he plays, attempts a return to the big show in “The Wrestler.” Not only does he pull it off, but Rourke creates a galvanizing, humorous, deeply moving portrait that instantly takes its place among the great, iconic screen performances. An elemental story simply and brilliantly told, Darren Aronofsky’s fourth feature is a winner from every possible angle, although it will require deft handling by a smart distributor to overcome public preconceptions about Rourke, the subject matter and the nature of the film.”
Note to all the nerdlingers that lost their shit last year. Marisa Tomei is “as naked… as she was in last year’s “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.” Cue geek boners (ok, we must admit, added bonus, she’s gorgeous).
The Hollywood Reporter is almost as equally impressed with a few caveats, but lauds the performances:
“Although the film teeters on the brink of sentimentality, it never topples into the slush, and this is a tribute to the rigorous direction as well as the astringent performances. Rourke dispenses with all vanity to plumb the depths of this well-meaning but severely damaged man. Tomei delivers one of her most arresting performances, again without any trace of vanity. Wood’s part is smaller, but she captures the scalding anger of a woman neglected for most of her life.”
Wish we were back in good ol’ Toronto right now. We’ll suplex you next Tuesday.