Rourke: A Broken-Down Piece of Meat

Bang your head! So I saw the Wrestler and got inspired. It wasn't the best movie ever, but Mickey was terrific. In fact, if he weren't playing the role of Randy the Ram, and it were some other guy—like Bruce Willis or... Bruce Willis—the movie wouldn't have gotten much buzz at all. And it also would've been a giant kerplunk of a show, 'cause I can't see anyone other than Rourke making it work.

Anyway, I wanted to convey Randy's fatigue and despair. He's gray, disheveled and blood-splattered—in no condition to continue—and yet the crowd keeps cheering him on. And is that heavenly sunspot a camera flash or a glimpse into the afterlife? Both, my friend—both!