Mickey Rourke's 'Wrestler' is compelling. It leaves town tonight. Fox Searchlight Pictures Visit the Photo Place

>> LIAM NEESON AS AN ACTION HERO? SOUNDS CRAZY, BUT IN 'TAKEN,' IT WORKS FADED GLORY IN 'THE WRESTLER'

New movie reviews

Date published: 2/5/2009

"THE WRESTLER" (R) HHH

STARRING: MICKEY ROURKE, MARISA TOMEI

RUNNING TIME: 105 minutes

(Leaving town tonight.) Though this gritty tale of a fading professional wrestler is hard to watch at times--battles in the ring are bruising and bloody--two things about it stick with you long after you leave the theater.

First is the look it provides of the odd world of professional wrestling, which takes such a physical toll on its "stars."

Second is the amazing and sadly poignant performance delivered by Mickey Rourke.

With long, scraggly blond hair, a face filled with rivers of wrinkles and an upper body pumped up for the role, he weaves layers of nuanced pain and separation into his character, Randy "The Ram" Robinson.

Despite his ill-advised refusal to retire and dodgy finances--failure to pay his rent gets him locked out of his trailer at the film's start--Rourke makes The Ram a sympathetic character.

We know early on that there's only one place in life he fits in, where he feels right.

It takes until the end of the film, however, for him to admit that to himself.

Just as good as Rourke is Marisa Tomei as the stripper who sees something special in this once-famous wrestler.

Yes, the "stripper with the heart of gold" character is so overdone it has become an oft-repeated film cliche.

But her Cassidy seems real, understanding him because of her own circumstances.

Rated R for violence, sexuality/nudity, language and some drug use. 105 min. [RF]

"TAKEN" (PG-13) HHH STARRING: LIAM NEESON, MAGGIE GRACE, FAMKE JANSSEN

RUNNING TIME: 93 MIN.

This isn't a complicated film, but a great popcorn flick that does what it does well.

Neeson shows he could have had quite a career in action films, playing a CIA agent who makes life hell for kidnappers who nab his daughter in Paris.

Once that happens, the film takes on a "Bourne" intensity and drive, with great action and a convincing Neeson.

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, disturbing thematic material, sexual content, drug references and language. 93 min. [RF, RA, M]

"NEW IN TOWN" (PG) HH

STARRING: RENÉE ZELLWEGER, HARRY CONNICK JR., SIOBHAN FALLON

RUNNING TIME: 105 MIN.

This tale has been done to death: Business exec comes to small town to shut down a plant, but falls for the nice folks and just can't drop the axe.

With the appealing Renee Zellweger as the exec and a solid cast of townies--each spouting a Minnesota "You betcha!"--it's just enough.

Rated PG for brief strong language. 105 min. [RF, RA, M]

"MILK" (R) HHH

STARRING: SEAN PENN, JAMES FRANCO, JOSH BROLIN

RUNNING TIME: 128 MIN.

(Leaving town tonight.) Though it wanders at times, this tale of California's first openly gay elected official benefits from an affecting performance by Sean Penn as Milk.

It also benefits from the power of historical narrative about the man who stood up for gays and others on society's fringe in San Francisco.

Rated R for language, sexual content, violence. 128 min. [M]

H Don't waste your time. HH Nothing special HHH You'll be sorry if you miss it. HHHH A must-see [NR] Not reviewed

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Date published: 2/5/2009