'The Wrestler' (R) (out of four)

Slow cooking in a limited run until now, the timing is perfect for "The Wrestler" to take center stage as a wide release.

A film that in a way parallels the ups and downs of star Mickey Rourke's career, it's only appropriate that the movie's being released to the masses a day after the '80s film star is rewarded with his first Best Actor Oscar nomination. That's because for Rourke, "The Wrestler" is a career triumph.

Rourke stars as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a broken-down professional wrestler who's seen far better days. Director Darren Aronofsky well-establishes the Ram's former glories in the film's opening montage with scattered magazine clippings and posters touting the wrestler's dominance on the pro circuit.

The story begins with a bodyslam of reality after that, though, when we find the Ram slumped in a chair in a pre-school room after a match set up in a school gym. Now on independent circuit in New Jersey with other tired veterans and up-and-comers, most of the Ram's gigs are set in small venues like banquet halls and the occasional small auditoriums.

It shouldn't come as a surprise, then, that the Ram's pretty much strapped for cash. Living in a trailer in a mobile home park -- that is, when he's not locked out for being behind on rent -- Ram takes whatever odd jobs he can to make ends meet.

Adding insult to injury, the former star is desperately lonely, only finding solace with Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), an aging local stripper who's afraid to cross the line of customer to friend with the Ram, if not lover. And a relationship with Cassidy may be the only thing that saves the Ram, when he's informed that he faces certain death if he continues on with his career. After years of steroid abuse, his heart is just about ready to call it a day.

"The Wrestler" is a major departure for Aronofsky, whose previous directorial efforts -- the hyperkinetic and hypnotic "Requiem for a Dream," and the esoteric and confusing "The Fountain" -- were met with acclaim and disdain, respectively. And since the latter was a disaster, Aronofsky needed a comeback in a big way with "The Wrestler," and you can feel his passion for the story throughout the film.

Abandoning the slick film techniques that defined his previous efforts, Aronofsky goes almost guerilla with "The Wrestler," and the result is a film with a gritty, documentary-like feel. Sure, "The Wrestler" is about professional wrestling to a degree, but it's also a movie that will appeal to far more people than just fans of World Wrestling Entertainment.

Featuring several real-life wrestlers, "The Wrestler" is really a film about the characters, and Aronofsky begins by taking his camera behind the scenes of the matches, where we experience the camaraderie between the participants -- including the "foes" in the ring.

It's through those relationships where we get to experience the true heart of the Ram, a humbled, broken man whose chin remains firmly up despite his grim prospects. He's kind and courteous to everybody he encounters, goofs around with the neighborhood kids with his ring moves, and protects and respects Cassidy.

The great thing about Aronofsky and Rourke's one-touch punch with "The Wrestler," though, is that the director and actor aren't afraid to show off the Ram's flaws. His relationship with his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) is deeply-strained, he occasionally dabbles in drugs (both the street and performance-enhancing kind) and when his temper flares, it's like a powder keg going off.

Perfectly realizing the Ram's strengths and shortcomings, Rourke succeeds with his heartbreaking performance in "The Wrestler" because it feels real. He's a sympathetic character that's relatable, and best of all he's likable. Rourke makes you want the Ram to win with the battles in his personal life, no matter how difficult the odds are.

Much to the same degree, Tomei -- who looks as stunning as ever -- projects the same sorts of emotions in her Best Supporting Actress Oscar-nominated performance as Cassidy. Like her wrestler counterpart, Cassidy lives a completely different life on stage. They're both people who know what it takes to get by in life, even when they know the outcome is bleak.

The great thing is -- and thus the inspiration in "The Wrestler" -- is that at least they're willing to try to get out of their doldrums, even in the face of uncertainty. Life isn't easy and these people know it. True, "The Wrestler" isn't all sweetness and light; but it's a film that everybody should see.