Mickey Rourke–A tribute
Where to begin?
Oscar night.
I didnt watch the Oscars but I kept up with the winners tally via other websites. I myself was rooting for an underdog, Mickey Rourke, in his comeback role, The Wrestler. Some may remember Mickey’s early work in The Diner, The Pope of Greenwich Village, Angelheart, Rumblefish, and 9 1/2 weeks to name a few. He is an incredible actor, and megastars like Sean Penn and Brad Pitt and Robert Downey Jr have named him as their inspiration. Unfortunately, he also had a well known reputation for being a loose cannon and often expressed a disdain for Hollywood and the business in general. At one point, he turned his back on acting and took up semi-professional boxing. He admits he was never going to be the kind of boxer he had hoped to be but he threw himself into it 100%, eventually suffering face altering injuries. On top of that, the plastic surgeon who “repaired” his face actually made it worse so that by the time he was done, Mickey hardly looked like himself. Such a shame too, because we are talking about one of the best looking actors of his generation. See for yourself:
Mickey’s latest film, for which he won a Golden Globe, a Bafta (British Academy film awards), a Spirit award for best actor, and various film critic association awards, is about a washed up wrestler given one last shot at glory. By all accounts, Mickey completely shined in this movie, inhabiting the role so convincingly that up until Oscar night, it was considered that he had a very real shot at Best Actor honors. Here’s a clip:
On E! Online I saw a clip (sorry couldnt load it) where Mickey responded (when asked what he thought his chances for an Oscar were) by saying that he was grateful for being considered, he didnt know what his chances were–he knew he had a “bad boy” reputation to overcome–but if it turned out he didnt win, and Sean Penn did, he’d “clap his ass off for him” and that he loved Sean Penn like a brother. In his own words:
“If I’m fortunate enough to get up there – Sean Penn, he’s a helluva an actor. If he’s up there, I’m gonna clap my ass off. I love him like a brother.” LINK
That was particularly poingnant because the winner actually said the same thing about Mickey
Mickey, I hope that your recent successes propel you on to even greater glory, you deserve it, you’ve earned it, and I never stopped believing in you. Congrats to you. Cheers!
Its ALL Blarney!! 
here is another blog’s take on Sean Penn’s acceptance speech and their assessment of who should have won and why
Sean Penn won the Oscar for Best Actor and made a passionate but predictable political speech. I was really hoping to see Mickey Rourke win for the pure entertainment value. The Academy Awards would be more interesting with speeches in which actors swear uncontrollably while thanking Eric Roberts, police officers, and the wrestling community. Most of all, I was pulling for the Best Actor award to be dedicated to a dog.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, look up Mickey’s speech at the Independent Spirit Awards. It is amazing (and extremely profane, so discretion is advised).
posted by Brian Morgenstern at 4:09 PM on Feb 23, 2009
*****************and my answer*********************
Mickey Rourke should have won, but not to entertain you or because he’s a dog or the movie didn’t deserve to win, but rather because he’s an enormously talented actor and always has been.
That said, I happen to agree with Sean Penn’s statement that we have to have equality for EVERYONE. He’s right. One day, I hope this country can rise above fundamentalist narrow-minded attitudes and allow others to just BE. After all, God made us ALL. Just the way we are.
Finally, Sean Penn, bless him, had the grace to acknowledge Mickey’s talent and recognize that it is Mickey’s capacity for showing us all aspects of life, and even more for FEELING them and portraying them so fearlessly for us, that prompted him to announce “Mickey Rourke rises again, and he is my brother!”
That, sir, is LOVE. In its truest sense. You can KEEP your self-righteous bible thumping because when its all said and done, what you holier-than-thou folks all seem to forget was Jesus PREFERRED the company of tax collectors, whores and criminals. I think he would have been just fine with the likes of Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke too.
NUFF SAID.
irishgrl
Just dropping by.Btw, you website have great content!
______________________________
Renegade ClickBank Affiliate Banks $127,783 In 30 Days With New Google Software …
Thanks! I appreciate all visitors, but especially the visitors who appreciate my site 🙂
Its a bit of a mulligan stew, but its fun !