A Day in the Life of a Professional Wrestler

The Wrestler is a 2008 American sports drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky and written by Robert Siegel. The film stars Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, and Evan Rachel Wood. Rourke plays an aging professional wrestler who, despite his failing health and waning fame, continues to wrestle due to financial hardship and in an attempt to cling to the success of his 1980s heyday. He also tries to mend his relationship with his estranged daughter and to find romance with a woman who works as a stripper. The Wrestler premiered at the 65th Venice International Film Festival on September 5, 2008 before being released by Fox Searchlight Pictures on December 17, 2008. The film grossed $44.7 million against a $6 million budget and received critical acclaim and won the Golden Lion Award at the 65th Venice International Film Festival, where it premiered. The success of the film revitalized Rourke's career and he went on to win a Golden Globe, a British Academy Film Award, an Independent Spirit Award as well as an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Tomei also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.