| SBIFF - Mickey Rourke, Riviera Award |
 |
| Show Reviews | |||
| Written by Haig Fisher | |||
| Sunday, 01 February 2009 16:33 | |||
-- Ari Gold (Entourage 2008). 
Christopher Llyod
Playing Randy "The Ram" Robinson in Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler displays Mickey's true greatness as an actor and shows its never to late to make a comeback. The moderator for the evening was Pete Hammond, a seasoned interviewer of over 25 years. The near capacity crowd was shown clips from many of Mickey's movies, including Angel Heart, Body Heat, Diner, Domino, Sin City, Nine 1/2 weeks, Rumble Fish, Pope of Greenwich Village, and of course, The Wrestler.  Mickey took us on his acting journey during his early years when he studied under Lee Strassberg with the likes of Al Pacino, Harvey Keitel, and Christoper Walken. Working under the direction of Michael Cimino (The Year of The Dragon) and Francis Ford Coppola (Rumble Fish) set a high bar for Mickey. . .a bar he always strived not to compromise. His first breakout role came as an arsonist in Body Heat with William Hurt and Kathleen Turner. After that came Diner with Kevin Bacon and then Rumble Fish and Pope of Greenwich Village. Just when you thought he might have peaked, along came Nine 1/2 Weeks, the controversial and steamy film with co-star Kim Bassinger. Rourke said he was sort of looking for a Last Tango in Paris role, so he and Bassinger pushed some limits in that film.When the likes of Hollywood showed its lesser side of integrity, Mickey turned to boxing, a sport in which he has participated since the age of 12. He won several bouts but suffered numerous injuries and left boxing for good when doctors convinced him to returned to acting.  Mickey's appeal goes beyond his tremendous acting ability. He's a regular guy who we can all relate with. He has worked as a bouncer at Hollywood night clubs, taken blows in a boxing ring, and was raised by a single mother. Throughout all his successes, he is humble. . .expressing that lots of people don't ever get one chance, he is very greatful to get a second chance.
Francis Ford Coppola
Moderator, Pete Hammond
|
Everybody loves a comeback, and because Britney screwed hers up, its all you baby."