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'The Wrestler' Wins Venice Film Fest

By Robert Wadlow on | From getthebigpicture.net

LL Cool J once proclaimed, "Don't call it a comeback." Now, he's pitching Old Spice.

Mickey Rourke, on the other hand, has just put a bow on one of Hollywood's most unlikely comeback stories, as his film The Wrestler won the Golden Lion for best film at the Venice Film Festival.

The movie marks something of a comeback for director Darren Aronofsky, as well, whose 2006 movie The Fountain was troublesome for critics and audiences alike, and was now well-received in Italy two years ago.

"Darren Aronofsky came here a couple of years ago and fell on his ass," Rourke said frankly at the awards ceremony. "I am glad he had the balls to come back. I don't think he wanted to come. I said, 'You've got to come'."

Rourke is suddenly a prohibitive Oscar nominee for his work as a professional wrestler forced into retirement, although he did not receiving an acting award for the same stupid reason the Kansas City Royals have an all-star every year: To be more fair to all the films submitted, Venice won't allow the Golden Lion winner to pick up acting awards. Instead, Silvio Orlando from Il Pana di Giovanna took home that honor.

I thought Rourke deserved more notice for Sin City, frankly, so it's good to see him rewarded with praise this year. He told reporters at the Venice Film Festival that The Wrestler is the best movie he's ever made, and even said that he took no money for the role.

And here's a look at a couple of clips from the film, plus some interview footage with Rourke and Aronofsky:

The Wrestler will make a stop at the New York Film Festival next month, and based on the reaction it's getting, I'm sure we'll see it in theaters in either the suddenly flaky November or early December.

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Darren Aronofsky Pictures and Style