Marisa Tomei in "The Wrestler"

I wanted to make note of Marisa Tomei's portrayal of "Cassidy" in "The Wrestler." Her portrayal of a woman that worked a job to save money to better herself while trying to manage the inter-personal issues with "Randy" played by Mickey Rourke was wonderful. I had kind of thought her acting was not strong after her initial popularity brought on by "My Cousin Vinny" but I note that I have not really seen her in any films since that one in 1992.

Her work in "The Wrestler" was strong and forthright and I felt she hit the characterization of her role spot on. She is a strong woman who holds Randy at arms length but her vulnerability and her empathy for Randy helps change her to come to consider being involved with him. She has the strength at the end of the film to walk away when Randy decided to wrestle when it is obvious it will kill him. It is a conditional love and most love IS conditional. She knows that to hold on to the idea of Randy as he has returned to be - a man lingering under the misapprehension that it is the love of his fans that can sustain him when really her love would (and should) be an appropriate agent of his redemption - will lead to nothing in return for her.

As to some of the more "mechanical" aspect of her role she is convincing as a stripper. Not at all a bad dancer and damn sexy for 44 year old woman (her age in 2008). Stay ups play a part in the film as well so stocking fans get that wonderful bonus watching the movie.