Rourke's wrestler film storms Venice

5 September 2008 04:41pm

Mickey Rourke's new film role as a lonely has-been wrestler took the Venice Film Festival by storm today.

Those behind The Wrestler received a standing ovation from some reporters during the US film's press conference, as parallels were drawn with Mickey's own troubled past.

Much mention has been made of a lack of a Hollywood presence at this year's festival.

But as the event draws to a close, excitement mounted as Mickey's was tipped to scoop "best actor" awards.

He plays Randy "The Ram" Robinson, who has a blossoming romance with an ageing stripper, played by Marisa Tomei.

In the 1980s, Randy was a headlining professional wrestler, but 20 years later he ekes out a living performing in gyms and community centres around New Jersey.

Describing his character, Mickey said: "He is a dreamer who is living like s*** and living in a state of shame".

Speaking about his own life, Mickey said: "I threw my career away 15 years ago".

Of his character, he later continued: "There is no worse feeling to be feeling shameful all the time... and usually you're to blame for it.

"You have nobody to blame but yourself. The Ram is a mess."

© The Press Association