Wow! Easily the best movie of the year! First off, I’ll express my biases: I love New Jersey, pro wrestling, strip clubs and tragic heroes. The Wrestler had all of the above.

The story was gut wrenching and the character was portrayed in a strange light: was he a hero? Or just a fool?

I dig the ambiguity. I only wish I’d seen this movie sooner.

I was pretty sure I was going to like this movie ‘cause I really dig Aronofsky’s work. He is definitely one of the best young directors out there and he certainly didn’t disappoint with this flcik. He showed a little range with this character study and I really look forward to more of his work over the years. Can’t really say how much I appreciated some of the things Aronofsky did in this movie without throwing in a bunch of spoilers, but trust me, his fourth movie definitely shows his continuing growth and proof that he’s not a flash in the pan.

Now, to adress the alleged big story. Yes…Mickey Rourke was pretty freakin’ good in this flick, but as to all the hype about this being his ‘comeback movie’... I don’t get it. Rourke has been with us pretty consistently for three decades now. OK…he made a few bad decisions in the 90’s (HD and Marlboro Man comes to mind), but most actors with 50+ movies in their resumes have made a few that we all wish they hadn’t. While not necessarily the leading man/box office draw he once was, he has still had some good roles in very memorable recent movies. A few of the 15 movies he has made in the last ten years include: Get Carter, The Pledge, Spun, Once Upon A Time In Mexico, and who could forget his role in Sin City. While these flicks may not have been Oscar nominees, they were pretty solid efforts in my humble opinion. Not trying to be disagreeable, just saying Mickey never went anywhere really and I, for one, am glad. I really dig the cat, and he turned in an awesome performance in The Wrestler.