The Wrestler is a character study, no more and no less, yet it's open-ended enough to function as many things.Read Full Review »
100
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Owen Gleiberman
The Wrestler is like "Rocky" made by the Scorsese of "Mean Streets." It's the rare movie fairy tale that's also a bravura work of art.Read Full Review »
The Ram is sometimes--often, even--a manipulative, self-pitying man, but Rourke and Aronofsky paint his portrait with a rigorous dignity.Read Full Review »
90
The New York Times: A.O. Scott
Like its hero, the movie has a blunt, exuberant honesty, pulling off even its false moves with conviction and flair.Read Full Review »
88
Philadelphia Inquirer: Steven Rea
It's a haunting, scary, funny, sad portrayal from Rourke.Read Full Review »
88
ROLLING STONE: Peter Travers
You watch The Wrestler (with a superb title song from Bruce Springsteen) in a state of pure exhilaration. A great actor in a great movie will do that to you.Read Full Review »
88
ReelViews: James Berardinelli
Aronofsky's directorial style is simple and spare. There are no flourishes or attempts to convince us that he is a master of his craft.Read Full Review »
75
USA Today: Claudia Puig
The story has its clichéd and sentimental moments. It's no "Raging Bull," more like "Rocky" shot with a handheld camera. But Rourke's wounded tough guy is undeniably captivating.Read Full Review »
70
Washington Post: John Anderson
As good as Rourke is, and as willingly as he throws himself on the figurative hand grenade, his performance constantly begs the question of whether the story would be worth telling without him. Marisa Tomei, as Cassidy the pole dancer, delivers a courageous performance, one nearly as ego-battering as Rourke's.Read Full Review »
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