The Wrestler

"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."

"Aronofsky’s most authentic film refuses to ridicule the amateur wrestling circuit, while Rourke’s portrait of a has-been will surely be the comeback of the year."

"Like its hero, the movie has a blunt, exuberant honesty, pulling off even its false moves with conviction and flair."

"This is Rourke doing astonishing physical acting."

"He goes looking for part of his past, but the result is a cliched and implausible subplot. It's a shame that the price of seeing one of the truly great performances of this or any year is sitting through the dross that contains it."

"So much more than you might imagine, and with a powerhouse performance full of such vulnerability, gut honesty and tenderness from Mickey Rourke this really is one of the films of the year."

"The Wrestler doesn't add up. It's constructed with great care around a lead performance that is everything it could possibly be, but the picture itself is off-putting and disappointing."

"Bolstered by a career-best performance from Mickey Rourke and outstanding work by Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood."

"An emotional smackdown. Rourke’s never been better, and the change of pace and texture suits Aronofsky perfectly. The Raging Bull of wrestling movies? Oh, go on then."

"I liked this film immensely. I like the way that it has for ever raised the bar for what a sports biopic can be, the way it tells a noisy story with moments of great quietness and insight."