The Wrestler has won the Golden Lion for best picture at the Venice film festival.
The Films premise is Randy "Ram" Robinson (Rourke) is a retired professional wrestler from the 1980s who is forced to retire after a heart attack threatens to kill him the next time he wrestles. Robinson begins a job at a deli, moves in with an aging stripper, and attempts to form a relationship with her son. However, Robinson is drawn to the prospect of a rematch with his old wrestling nemesis the Ayatollah , even though the fight may cost him his life.
The Wrestler, directed by Darren Aronofsky, drew praise from critics and the public alike. Many critics have also tipped Rourke for an Oscar nomination for his performance
The 11-day cinema showcase has been under fire for what some critics said was a generally weak selection of 21 films in the main competition.
