Not to be all Rourke all the time, but I’ve been sitting here watching/listening to the Charlie Rose interview finally and around the 35:00 mark, Rose pops the big question about the year’s Oscar season: “How does it feel to be in this competition with Sean Penn?”
Rourke took it right along in stride, like everything else in the interview (it really is a grand slam one-on-one). I don’t know if this tid-bit has popped up elsewhere this season — it very well may have. But apparently Penn talked to Rourke when “The Wrestler” was making the rounds in Toronto and he sensed a major awards circuit on the horizon, so he sat him down and essentially coached him through what was sure to be a heady process for the formerly disgraced actor.
Here’s Rourke:
I love him like a brother. I’ve known him for over 20 years. He’s definitely the best actor of his generation. He’s somebody that I respect because he works so hard at what he does and he does it really well and he’s smart. He’s his own man.
When we did this movie we didn’t have a distributor. We won an award in Venice and then we were in Toronto. Sean and I saw each other and he gave me a big smile. I went over to his table, we hugged and he told me, ‘Listen, this is what’s going to go down.’ I had no clue about this campaign thing. He said, ‘Do this, do this, don’t do that, don’t do that.’ He was supporting me and he says, ‘It’s your time, brother.’
Rourke also talks more in-depth about that letter he wrote to Bruce Springsteen, how he now had “access to change,” etc., which of course led The Boss to pen an amazing track that would ultimately get the AMPAS shaft. And I’m glad he got into “gigging,” too, which he told me about when we spoke a few months back and I’m sure he addressed elsewhere, too. But I haven’t seen him address it in a video format yet.
Comments
14 responses to “Penn to Rourke: “It’s your time, brother.””
Just change the site to Rourkecontention.com. I love all the Wrestler love though, my fave of the year.
Yeah, it’s getting shameless on my part. Sorry folks. But in fairness, it’s…kinda news?
Kris, you are starting to make me think Rourke could actually win. I like it.
Mickey Rourke deserves Best Actor! I agree with all this promotion of Rourke!
Brilliant interview. I hope he wins.
I guess I’m the last Sean Penn supporter, judging by the site. I loved Penn’s performance in “Milk”, and to me it was the performance of his career.
But if on Oscar night the award goes to Mickey Rourke, I will be a little disappointed. But I can’t deny how great he was in “The Wrestler”. I never knew he had the emotional and physical depth to pull off a role like this. He was simply amazing.
So if Rourke wins, I’ll be disappointed, but at the same time I will be happy for him. Cause at the end of the day he earned it.
“I loved Penn’s performance in “Milk”, and to me it was the performance of his career.”
And I agree. I just liked Rourke better this year.
I’m with you 100%, Kris. Rourke is the man to beat. His showing in THE WRESTLER is just too great to ignore. Besides Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams of WENDY AND LUCY, and Cantinca Untaru of THE FALL, it’s the performance of the year.
I guess this has nothing to do with him previously calling Penn a homophobe and an average actor.
Prove it, Troy. Oh right, you can’t, because it was bullshit then and it’s bullshit now.
I’m with you Kris, that whole rumor with Rourke supposedly trash talking Penn, is total crap. Some people just love to create the drama, between two great actors who gave outstanding performances this past year.
Relax Kris. It doesn’t matter if it was BS or not, it’s out there regardless. Making these comments is a wise way to clear the air.
No, Chris – I’m still pulling for Penn on Oscar night as well. That being said – I’m glad to see that Penn & Rourke are very respectful to each other, and are pulling for each other, instead of the crap the media tries to create. I think Penn deserves it, but if Rourke wins, that will be something else as well.
I’ve seen all 5 Best Actor nominees and I agree that it’ll either be Penn or Rourke.
My heart says Mickey, my mind says Sean. I honestly don’t know which one to pick.