Rourke 'boxes clever' at Venice

Mickey Rourke's new role as a wrestler who has seen better days takes centre stage at the Venice Film Festival.

Rourke plays Randy "The Ram" Robinson, who enjoys a blossoming romance with an ageing stripper, played by Marisa Tomei, in the US film The Wrestler.

Back in the 1980s, Randy was a headlining professional wrestler, but 20 years later he ekes out a living performing to handfuls of die hard fans in gyms and community centres around New Jersey.

Estranged from his daughter, Randy lives for the thrill of the show.

But a heart attack forces him into retirement and he begins to evaluate the state of his life.

The Wrestler is one of the 21 films screening in competition at the festival.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

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