On DVD: Rourke triumphs as a battered ‘Wrestler’

Mickey Rourke, who's career was in the dumps for many years, excelled in the role of the battered Randy “The Ram” Robinson in 'The Wrestler.'

It didn’t net him an upset Oscar victory, but The Wrestler did get Mickey Rourke some of the best notices in his career.

The story of a battered, weary veteran of the squared circle desperately trying to get his life back in order resonated with all types of audiences, and did get plenty of acclaim not only for Rourke, but also cast mates Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood.

Director Darren Aronofsky used a quasi-documentary shooting style, nicely incorporating excellent and credible wrestling footage with striking and often shocking events and encounters that repeatedly proved Randy “The Ram” Robinson’s (Rourke) worst enemy was himself.

The Wrestler be released on DVD Tuesday (Fox), and just like its theatrical version, this is a package without fanfare or extras, though a Blu-ray version is also available.

Still, this one doesn’t need a lot of added features, or even more discussion from the principals. What transpires during the 111-minute film is more than enough to tell a compelling and powerful story, although I’m sure that there will be a deluxe version of The Wrestler issued at some point in the near future.

By contrast, there will be a deluxe package version of Notorious (Twentieth Century Fox) released Tuesday. The basic DVD offers a strong retelling of the life and death of Brooklyn rapper Christopher “Biggie Smalls” Wallace, a hip-hop superstar.

Wallace emerged as the leading voice on the East Coast, an accomplished rapper and charismatic personality who sadly was cut down in the prime of his life. That murder, as well as the similar slaying of his friend and rival Tupac Shakur, remains unsolved.

Notorious was produced by his mother Violetta Wallace and directed by George Tillman Jr. Besides excellent performances from Jamal “Gravy” Woolard as Biggie Smalls and Angela Bassett as his mother, there were solid contributions from Anthony Mackie, Charles Malik Whitfield, Aunjanue Ellis and even Wallace’s son Christopher Wallace Jr.

The three-disc boxed set includes everything from music videos to biographical information and production stills, plus deleted scenes and other details, as well as a digital file that enables anyone who purchases it to transfer it onto their computer or portable digital player.

The depiction of Smalls’ troubled relationship with both his wife Faith Evans and protégé Lil’ Kim is also shown, and there are several segments that are quite ugly and shattering.

But it’s that dedication to presenting a complete and accurate portrayal of Biggie Smalls that made Notorious an excellent work, and that same attention to detail makes the boxed set equally valuable.