Rourke was born for the part of Robinson, his acting career has been struggling and faltering over the last twenty years or so and he knows what it is like to get inside a ring to perform thanks to a boxing career during a hiatus from acting. He is therefore totally believable as the easy-going, good-natured wrestler who now ageing and with his glory days firmly behind him scratches a meagre living in wrestling exhibitions in small town halls and college gyms, a far cry from the venues he used to pack back in his prime. To supplement his ring earnings he works at a supermarket in the warehouse and the deli counter, it is of course a bitter pill for the proud Robinson to swallow.

Popular with the children and locals at the trailer park he now resides at he also befriends another wounded soul in single mother and stripper Cassidy (excellently played by Marisa Tomei). Together they form an unconventional relationship, they are both used to showing their flesh and performing for the unsympathetic baying masses. Their scenes together have a poignancy and believability that will have the viewer rooting for both.

The film is good at showing the wrestlers in a positive light, the camaraderie and the shared bond and mutual respect they exhibit behind the scenes is touching and displays a different side to them. There is a particularly poignant scene where Robinson attends a ‘meet and greet’ session where he autographs wrestling memorabilia and poses for photos with his fans, as he looks around at the broken men around him, the heroes of yesteryear, the look when he realises he is becoming one of them is heartbreaking.

With plenty of conflict, raw emotion and action this is a powerhouse of a film. It is unflinching in its portrayal of pain both physical and mental; there is one wrestling sequence that is definitely not for the fainthearted! With a serious heart condition and well past his prime Robinson has a dilemma when he is offered the chance to face his old arch-nemesis ‘The Ayatollah’ in a special 20th anniversary rematch. Does he heed the doctor’s advice and stay out of the ring or will the lure of the crowds love, admiration and respect be too hard to resist?

Boasting a virtuoso performance from Rourke and he is not alone in the acting accolades as Tomei and also Evan Rachel Wood as his estranged daughter Stephanie excellently support him. When Robinson seeking redemption and to re-establish his relationship with his daughter says ‘I’m an old broken-down piece of meat, and I’m alone and I deserve to be alone.’ The audience will feel the raw emotion and pathos.

This film pulls at your heartstrings and will make the viewer wince on several occasions. It’s without doubt a career best performance for Rourke who can finally look forward to a promising career as a respected actor. This film will appeal to a wide audience as its focus is not just on wrestling but also themes like the day-to-day struggle of existence and acceptance.