Mick as Boogie was electric – girls wanted to do him and guys wanted to be him. Cooler than the Fonz and more fragile than an egg.
“more fragile than an egg”.
I got that quote from this terrific retrospect of Rourke’s career that came out around the time of Sin City, complete with a list of Rourke must-sees (some interesting choices). I love how much people remember Johnny Handsome (well … except for me at first … uhm … sorry, Michael … my post about the film here) – and how the “moment when he takes off the bandages” is referenced time and time again. NOT to be missed.
In the article I link to, he writes:
An older, wiser Rourke gingerly accepts the attention this time around, but the boxer’s instincts remain. Play the game, but don’t get played. Deep inside, you know it stings…why can’t it just be about the acting? Ask the really intriguing actors about Mickey – the Penns, Walkens, Depps – and to a person they’ll tell you how Rourke remains an untapped well of talent. How his swaggering but vulnerable machismo was an inspiration to them. How he could stand toe-to-toe with the best and still can. How he will generously share a small scene instead of trying to steal it, yet still make his turn one of the film’s pivotal moments. That he’s an actor’s actor despite everything else, and that life’s hard knocks have given him even greater resonance and depth.
Definitely go read the whole thing.
