The film received universal critical acclaim and won the Golden Lion Award at the 65th Venice International Film Festival , where it premiered . Film critic Roger Ebert called it one of the year 's best films , while Rotten Tomatoes reported that 98 % of critics gave the film positive reviews . The success of the film revitalized the career of Mickey Rourke , who went on to receive a BAFTA award , a Golden Globe Award , an Independent Spirit Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor . Tomei also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress
65th Venice International Film Festival
65th Venice International Film Festival
The Wrestler (2008 film)