By Joshua Richter

Last September, only two days after its completion, the now-award-winning film, “The Wrestler,” premiered. And now, five months later, it is up for two Oscar nominations. Many people doubted this movie due to the casting of the lead role of Randy “Ram” Robinson ,

Mickey Rourke, who, at the time, was coming off a long hiatus. Actor Nicolas Cage had entered negotiations in October 2007 to star in the role. The following month, Cage left the project after attending a Ring of Honor show in New York City, and Mickey Rourke replaced him.

Though not the original choice, Mickey Rourke was out to prove he’s still got it. “The Wrestler” proved just that. From what I read prior to release, Mickey trained with professional wrestling legend “The Wild Samoan Afa”. Rourke would train for approximately eight weeks to master his craft for the movie, being a professional wrestler. In his on screen movements, it was definitely clear that he had done his homework.

Another interesting quality to the film is the ‘documentary style’ that director Darren Aronofsky adopts. Though it moves slowly, the story is incredibly compelling.

The story follows Robinson playing off the fame that was wrestling of the eighties. It shows how at one point Mickey’s character, Randy “The Ram” Robinson was once on top of the world and on top of the professional wrestling business.

Though like many in that business, they often fall to wrestling and performing in venues like a High School and having an estranged relationship with their son or daughter.

Occasionally, “The Ram” has a drink at a gentlemen’s club, where he visits aging stripper Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), whose days of using her body for her livelihood are similarly numbered. The idea of The Ram’s loneliness clearly shines through.

Some scenes are very bloody but crucial to the story. Rourke does an unbelievable job at tugging at the emotional strings of the audience.

This movie proves you don’t need millions upon millions of dollars to make a fine piece of cinema. As far as “The Wrestler” goes, step into the ring with Mickey Rourke and go see it!