Rourke’s redemption tale appeals to everyone

‘He sort of gave up on himself’
Bart, who was a Paramount executive on “The Godfather” and who also has worked at MGM and Lorimar Films, has seen his share of talent come and go over the years, and has covered many actors and actresses in his perch at Variety.

“I had worked with Mickey as an executive at MGM and gave him a part in a picture in the early ‘80s,” he said. “I always felt that at a certain moment in time, when he was ready, he would come back. He is an amazing talent.”

But Bart said just about any Hollywood career on the skids, including Rourke’s, needs an assist now and then. “He sort of gave up on himself,” Bart explained. “I give a lot of credit to agents and managers, who can figure importantly. He has a wonderful young agent at ICM (David Unger) who believed in him. He was really important in bringing him back.

Slideshow   2009 Academy Award nominees Comeback kings Robert Downey Jr. and Mickey Rourke join Oscar queen Meryl Streep and a host of hopefuls looking for a statuette. more photos

“You need that outside intervention sometimes.”

Even talent is no guarantee, said Zaillian. “Sometimes people just forget how wonderful certain actors are,” he said. “Or they make one too many bad choices — in roles, or in their personal lives. Then the parts get smaller, the films get worse, and that spiral does not aim upward. For every Mickey Rourke, there are many, many other very talented actors who don’t get the call they need from a director like Darren Aronofsky (who helmed “The Wrestler”). It’s great Mr. Rourke did.”

And because the career footing in Hollywood is sometimes treacherous, there is no telling whether Rourke can use the heat and good will he generated in “The Wrestler” to continue on a positive path.

“I’m optimistic, but not certain,” Ebert said. “Downey has a wider range at this point in his career. Rourke could probably play outside of type, but he’d need a director to see that in him.”

In the meantime, Rourke has his following, those who were with him all the way and otherwise. “I was always rooting for him,” Bart said. “He’s a great guy.”

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