The Wrestler
Mickey Rourke has captured America’s love and respect, for a time. He was out of work for fourteen years before this movie. Now he has dropped a half nelson on our hearts. The veteran actor’s portrayal of Randy “The Ram” Robinson is one of the most endearing, soul searching performances in fourteen years.
WWF wrestling fans, especially those who grew up during the glory days of the 1980s, will find Rourke’s acting even more poignant since it closely mirrors the lives of many star performers. Wrestling fans may find some of these story elements familiar since the lives of so many real-life wrestlers seem to follow the same tragic pattern. Over the years, there have been several wrestling stars die from heart 
failure. First, Davey Boy Smith, half of the famed tag-team The British Bulldogs. And Athletes like Ravishing Rick Rude (who died of a heart attack caused by steroid use?) , and Brian Pillman who also died of heart problems. Randy “The Ram” Robinson was at the top of his game in the eighties, but twenty five years later he finds himself starting over again every night.
Typical sports movie, The Wrestler starts with a has been hero looking for a life, and ends with a rematch against The Ayatollah (think Iron Sheik). Mick Foley (aka Mankind) loved this movie and says so in this slash film article. I think he was impressed with how the amateur wrestling lifestyle was depicted.
