Back in the late ’80s, Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was a headlining professional wrestler. Now, twenty years later, he ekes out a living performing for handfuls of diehard wrestling fans in high school gyms and community centers around New Jersey.

Estranged from his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and unable to sustain any real relationships, Randy lives for the thrill of the show and the adoration of his fans. However, a heart attack forces him into retirement. As his sense of identity starts to slip away, he begins to evaluate the state of his life — trying to reconnect with his daughter, and striking up a blossoming romance with an exotic dancer (Marisa Tomei) who is ready to start a new life. Yet all this cannot compare to the allure of the ring and passion for his art, which threatens to pull Randy “The Ram” back into his world of wrestling.

I could come up with a dozen wrestling metaphors to describe Darren Aronofsky’s triumphant return to scrappy, independent, award-winning filmmaking, while I join the circle of whisperers who are guessing that Mickey Rourke will be up for Oscar glory here, but I’m, still hesitant. Though Aronofsky defied certain odds to get the movie made (eventually finding funding from the French foreign sales company who also backed Soderbergh’s four-hour Che Guevera biography), I feel as though The Wrestler is being groomed for Juno-like victory, and I’m just wondering if audiences will embrace the film. In fact, I know there are plenty of insiders who just sorta rolled their eyes at this one. However, I really hope I eat my own words, because I’m pro-Aronofsky, provided The Fountain can be ignored. (Which apparently it can’t, since Aronofsky is looking to remake that picture!)

Rated R for violence, sexuality/nudity, language and some drug use.

Oskar, a bullied 12-year old, dreams of revenge. He falls in love with Eli, a peculiar girl. She can’t stand the sun or food and to come into a room she needs to be invited. Eli gives Oskar the strength to hit back but when he realizes that Eli needs to drink other peoples blood to live he’s faced with a choice.

How much can love forgive? Let The Right One In is a story both violent and highly romantic, set in the Stockholm suburb of Blackeberg in 1982.

Rated R for some bloody violence including disturbing images, brief nudity and language.