Snark Sharks

The Rourke we love

Mickey Rourke, the boxer/actor/thug has been a source of inspiration, frustration and degradation since seducing sadomasochists with his rough sex appeal in the cult hit 9 1/2 Weeks. But after bringing soft-core porn to mass audiences in Wild Orchid the New York born and Liberty City raised thespian duck and dove through professional boxing, Paris fashion shows and guest appearances at the trial of John Gotti. Many people not named Sylvester Stallone had all but forgotten the enigmatic talent with the Irish looks and method acting voice but with the release of Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler at the Venice Film Festival (comeback) we remember Rourke.

Rourke fans are as diverse and odd as the peculiar pugilist. From Latin Kings and wild French girls in black to gay men riding Harley’s and Chihuahua lovers the motley crew that make up Rourke’s admirers have always found something appealing in the way Mickey has carried himself through a career as promising as it has been disappointing. Rourke had the talent to stand toe to toe with Robert DeNiro in Angel Heart while at the same time sending Bill Cosby into a seizure as he banged the Huxstable out of Lisa Bonet.

The Rourke we cheer

Rourke has always considered acting a less than manly occupation and just because he had a gift for portraying the strong and silent type didn’t mean he was going to play the role. Rourke’s “fuck you” attitude towards the Hollywood machine is one of his most endearing charms. A man’s man Rourke has an appeal that lures in women, gay men, straight men and toy breed dogs. His is a masculine aura that allows him to try boxing, have it mess up his face and yet make him even more attractive. His shunning of Los Angeles for Paris and Milan are the stuff of beat poet and bohemian artist legend. Rourke is the outsider who gets invited in, has a drink and then pisses on the snotty host while feeling up his wife. He’s an icon to rebels, the downtrodden and everyone who had to throw a few punches to stand his ground.

Rourke hit the silver screen with small roles in Body Heat, Diner and Rumble Fish where his James Dean persona and young Marlon Brando style caught the attention of fans and critics. His terrific performance in the Pope of Greenwich Village established Rourke as an actor on the verge of stardom and when he abused and confused Kim Basinger throughout 9 1/2 Weeks many believed his time had come.

The Rourke we fear

This is when Rourke took the wheel and instead of cruising into cinematic glory decided instead to swerve off the road and smash through the billboards that would have his likeness as he careened on a path of horrible flicks (Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man), a short-lived pro boxing career, appearing everywhere with Chihuahua’s and even showing up at the trial of John Gotti. And it’s no coincidence that while Rourke shunned the spotlight certain actors including Bruce Willis and Richard Gere shot to mega-stardom playing roles that were tailor-made for Rourke’s tough guy image.

All but written off Rourke has now resurfaced in the critically acclaimed Aronofsky flick The Wrestler which just won the Golden Lion for best picture at the Venice film fest and has critics hailing Rourke’s performance as an aging pro wrestler as his best yet.

“A guy like me changes hard,” Rourke told Reuters in Venice, “I didn’t want to change, but I had to. It’s OK for me now at this point in my life to play ball, to be a team player.”

Mickey Rourke isn’t the first rebel actor to rise, fall and rise again and he won’t be the last but this is one fan happy to see the Irish bloke getting the respect he deserves. Here’s hoping his latest role doesn’t lead him to veer off again, this time to battle Triple H for the WWE championship. But if he does, kick his ass Rourke!