Literary HackThe Perfect Role for Rourke
August 6th 2009 04:08
I wrote about Nicolas Cage's movies, roles, awards, and talent in the last post. Cage was in line for the starring role in The Wrestler, but pulled himself out of the race because he knew director Darren Aronofsky's number one choice for the role was Mickey Rourke. As you know, Rourke went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for best actor in the role. Rourke acted the part perfectly and deserved all the critical acclaim he received for his role in The Wrestler.
While Rourke did an excellent job, he was meant to play the part. It's no wonder Aronofsky wanted Rourke to play the part. The life of both Randy "The Ram" Robinson and Mickey Rourke have a number ofsimilarities that made Rourke's portrayal of Robinson so believable.
In The Wrestler, Randy "The Ram" Robinson is a washed up wrestler who was famous in the 1980's. He had since fallen out of the spotlight and now wrestles on the weekends in small independent venues. In the movie, Robinson struggles with trying to fix the part of his life that he ignored while being a famous celebrity. Even though his career is virtually over, he struggles with letting it go even when he's told by doctors his health has deteriorated to the point where he needs to quit.
In real life, Rourke became a star actor in the 1980's. He became well know through his critically acclaimed performances in such movies as The Outsiders, The Pope of Greenwich Village, and 9 and 1/2 Weeks. Towards the end of the decade and into the early 90's, Rourke acted in several box office bombs and poorly reviewed movies. He also made several perplexing acting decisions; Rourke is said to have turned down roles as Axel Foley Beverly Hills Cops, Elliot Ness in The Untouchables, and Nick Nolte's role in 48 Hrs. Between his opting out of successful films and the poor showings of the movies he did act in, Rourke was slowly fading out of the spotlight.
He decided to go back to boxing and after posting a 6-0-2 record in the ring, Rourke returned to acting. After several years of taking supporting roles, Rourke once again found himself in the mainstream with a leading role in Sin City. He continued to find smaller roles in mainstream movies like Man on Fire and Domino.
And with irony working at its finest, Rourke seemed to make it all the way back to the top this past year in The Wrestler. To do so, Rourke had to play a role in which the character's life seemed to mimic Rourke's real life trials and tribulations. Rourke, who once found his way out of stardom, kept on fighting to get back on top of his game had finally made it, and he did so while playing--himself.
While Rourke did an excellent job, he was meant to play the part. It's no wonder Aronofsky wanted Rourke to play the part. The life of both Randy "The Ram" Robinson and Mickey Rourke have a number ofsimilarities that made Rourke's portrayal of Robinson so believable.
In The Wrestler, Randy "The Ram" Robinson is a washed up wrestler who was famous in the 1980's. He had since fallen out of the spotlight and now wrestles on the weekends in small independent venues. In the movie, Robinson struggles with trying to fix the part of his life that he ignored while being a famous celebrity. Even though his career is virtually over, he struggles with letting it go even when he's told by doctors his health has deteriorated to the point where he needs to quit.
Rourke in The Wrestler
In real life, Rourke became a star actor in the 1980's. He became well know through his critically acclaimed performances in such movies as The Outsiders, The Pope of Greenwich Village, and 9 and 1/2 Weeks. Towards the end of the decade and into the early 90's, Rourke acted in several box office bombs and poorly reviewed movies. He also made several perplexing acting decisions; Rourke is said to have turned down roles as Axel Foley Beverly Hills Cops, Elliot Ness in The Untouchables, and Nick Nolte's role in 48 Hrs. Between his opting out of successful films and the poor showings of the movies he did act in, Rourke was slowly fading out of the spotlight.
A Younger Rourke
He decided to go back to boxing and after posting a 6-0-2 record in the ring, Rourke returned to acting. After several years of taking supporting roles, Rourke once again found himself in the mainstream with a leading role in Sin City. He continued to find smaller roles in mainstream movies like Man on Fire and Domino.
Rourke in Sin City
And with irony working at its finest, Rourke seemed to make it all the way back to the top this past year in The Wrestler. To do so, Rourke had to play a role in which the character's life seemed to mimic Rourke's real life trials and tribulations. Rourke, who once found his way out of stardom, kept on fighting to get back on top of his game had finally made it, and he did so while playing--himself.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
His supporting roles have been superb too, The Pledge, Thursday and Animal factory all memorable.
if your interested you can read my review for The Wrestler HERE
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
His supporting roles have been superb too, The Pledge, Thursday and Animal factory all memorable.
if your interested you can read my review for The Wrestler HERE
Comment by Anonymous Film Critic
Anonymous Film Critic