Robin PottratzMickey Rourke and Robert Downey Jr: Lifetime Screw ups turned Oscar Triumphs
February 19th 2009 03:50
When the 2009 Academy Awards air on Sunday February 22nd, there will be many categories still undecided...however there will be no shortages of contenders to root for. Some of the nominees who I will be backing include Josh Brolin for his performance in Milk, Richard Jenkins for his performance in The Visitor, Kate Winslet for The Reader, Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married, Viola Davis for Doubt,[I] and Marisa Tomei for [I]The Wrestler.
Even though it seems that I am rooting for a lot of contenders...there are two that I am pulling for the hardest. Why?, because they are both comeback kids who were on the Hollywood backburner due to their demons and they have both found a way to grab the brass ring and make their way to Oscar's glamorous stage.
The first nominee that I can't help but pull for is Mickey Rourke for his performance as Randy "The Ram" Robinson in the powerful and criminally underseen The Wrestler
A few years ago, Mickey Rourke made a minor comeback, appearing as Marv in Robert Rodriguez' Sin City, and followed that up with a supporting role in Tony Scott's B movie gem Domino. However, he was still considered an afterthought and a head case. He got arrested again and he seemed to be forever doomed as this generation's good looking and talented star who got in his own way and screwed everything up.
Then along came The Wrestler. As I have said in my review on this site (as well as anyone on the street who will listen), it is a rarity that an actor and a part come together so perfectly as Rourke and his character Randy "The Ram" Robinson. Rourke has felt the pain of being called a "has-been," just like "The Ram"...and it is apparent that Rourke had a strong connection to the character. He has my vote for best actor...I just hope he has the support of enough Academy voters.
I think a Rourke victory would be the highlight of the show and there is no one who deserves it more in that category than he does. I mean, he would make sure to thank his dogs...a man who loves dogs that much can't be a bad man.
Good Luck Mickey!!!
The other actor who I will be strongly rooting for is Robert Downey Jr. for his incredible comedic performance as Kirk Lazarus, an Australian method actor who dons blackface in order to perform his wierd acting immersion for a war film.
Robert Downey Jr has gone through as much of a wringer as one can in his lifetime. He has been arrested several times for drug possession, drove naked down Sunset Boulevard, was found naked in a hotel room with a Wonder Woman costume and on one drug fueled occasion, passed out in a neighbors house...in their small child's bed.
Many felt that Downey's life...let alone his career...would soon be over. Surprise surprise, Downey cleaned himself up...and has spent that past five years trying to get his career back. Then in May of 2008, a little movie called Iron Man comes out and the rest is history.
Downey followed up Iron Man with Tropic Thunder, which got him nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. It is ironic because Downey's performance is a send up of crazy method acting...a technique used by actors who are normally considered Oscar darlings. I think that it shows a sense of humor on the part of the Academy...as well as a level of respect to a man as talented as Robert Downey Jr.
I am elated at the sight of Downey with an Oscar nod. He is proof that actors and other performers who are addicted to drugs can recover and move on with their careers. They don't have to die at a young age and be known as martyrs...they can continue with their lives and careers.
Good Luck Robert...I hope you score an upset!!!
The differences between Rourke and Downey Jr are significant. Rourke has a legit shot at winning his category, while Downey will be a runner up to ironically enough, someone who overdosed on drugs...a fate many thought would be reserved for Downey. Also, Downey has already come back completely...while Rourke still has some work to do.
Either way, it is a joy to see these two talented performers up, sober, working, and being honored for the great actors that they are. I hold a special place in my heart for these two and I hope that they both go home with gold come Oscar Night.
Even though it seems that I am rooting for a lot of contenders...there are two that I am pulling for the hardest. Why?, because they are both comeback kids who were on the Hollywood backburner due to their demons and they have both found a way to grab the brass ring and make their way to Oscar's glamorous stage.
The first nominee that I can't help but pull for is Mickey Rourke for his performance as Randy "The Ram" Robinson in the powerful and criminally underseen The Wrestler
Mickey Rourke (Seen here in "The Wrestler") is a favorite for Best Actor after being a Hollywood Punchline for years...can he make his comeback complete?
A few years ago, Mickey Rourke made a minor comeback, appearing as Marv in Robert Rodriguez' Sin City, and followed that up with a supporting role in Tony Scott's B movie gem Domino. However, he was still considered an afterthought and a head case. He got arrested again and he seemed to be forever doomed as this generation's good looking and talented star who got in his own way and screwed everything up.
Then along came The Wrestler. As I have said in my review on this site (as well as anyone on the street who will listen), it is a rarity that an actor and a part come together so perfectly as Rourke and his character Randy "The Ram" Robinson. Rourke has felt the pain of being called a "has-been," just like "The Ram"...and it is apparent that Rourke had a strong connection to the character. He has my vote for best actor...I just hope he has the support of enough Academy voters.
I think a Rourke victory would be the highlight of the show and there is no one who deserves it more in that category than he does. I mean, he would make sure to thank his dogs...a man who loves dogs that much can't be a bad man.
Good Luck Mickey!!!
The other actor who I will be strongly rooting for is Robert Downey Jr. for his incredible comedic performance as Kirk Lazarus, an Australian method actor who dons blackface in order to perform his wierd acting immersion for a war film.
After being thought of as a lost drug addict beyond redemption...Robert Downey Jr. is back...with an Oscar nomination to boot for daring to perform in blackface in "Tropic Thunder"
Robert Downey Jr has gone through as much of a wringer as one can in his lifetime. He has been arrested several times for drug possession, drove naked down Sunset Boulevard, was found naked in a hotel room with a Wonder Woman costume and on one drug fueled occasion, passed out in a neighbors house...in their small child's bed.
Many felt that Downey's life...let alone his career...would soon be over. Surprise surprise, Downey cleaned himself up...and has spent that past five years trying to get his career back. Then in May of 2008, a little movie called Iron Man comes out and the rest is history.
Downey followed up Iron Man with Tropic Thunder, which got him nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. It is ironic because Downey's performance is a send up of crazy method acting...a technique used by actors who are normally considered Oscar darlings. I think that it shows a sense of humor on the part of the Academy...as well as a level of respect to a man as talented as Robert Downey Jr.
I am elated at the sight of Downey with an Oscar nod. He is proof that actors and other performers who are addicted to drugs can recover and move on with their careers. They don't have to die at a young age and be known as martyrs...they can continue with their lives and careers.
Good Luck Robert...I hope you score an upset!!!
The differences between Rourke and Downey Jr are significant. Rourke has a legit shot at winning his category, while Downey will be a runner up to ironically enough, someone who overdosed on drugs...a fate many thought would be reserved for Downey. Also, Downey has already come back completely...while Rourke still has some work to do.
Either way, it is a joy to see these two talented performers up, sober, working, and being honored for the great actors that they are. I hold a special place in my heart for these two and I hope that they both go home with gold come Oscar Night.
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