I just watched The Wrestler and absolutely loved it, probably the second best movie of the year after Waltz with Bashir. It conclusively proves that Aranofsky is not just a glorified editor, but a talented director that can make a great film even without flashy cinematography and quick edits. Rourke is great, and you don't need to know the back story to appreciate the performance. Its my favorite type of acting, not flashy or showy, he simply becomes the character. I hate wrestling and never had an ounce of interest in the subject, but the movie made it look very interesting. To think that Barton Fink couldn't write a movie that was about both Wrestling and the plight of the common man !
Also most of you are DEAD WRONG about Tomei's performance. She just got nominated for supporting actress Oscar and I hope she wins, she was that good. I may not know much about wrestling, but I am an expert when it comes to strippers, and she pulls off the tone and body language perfectly. The faux friendliness, the fake smile, even the way she asks for the money as if she doesn't really want it, it is all perfect, and like Rouke she completely inhabits the character. Also, whats wrong with the nudity? These days, it seems like every time there is female nudity in a movie, people must go out of their way to justify why it was absolutely necessary, as if there is something wrong with it. She is a stripper, she takes off her clothes, nothing more annoying than a movie with a covered up stripper *cough* Sin City *cough*
Great movie 9/10