Updated:

The Wrestler is getting a ton of press attention and user comments right now and it’s just fantastic to see, I have been fully behind this picture from day one… even if I thought Aronofsky’s The Fountain was one of the worst films the year it came out.

I anticipated this being a straight Darren Aronofsky movie, something he badly needed after the mess of his last film and though I can’t tell if it is indeed that until I see the final picture, I will say I’m incredibly excited to see this talented director back on track.

The breaking news tonight at Variety is that Fox Searchlight have made the first big acquisition of the festival by spending $4 million on the U.S. distribution rights for The Wrestler. They won what is being described as an “intense all night bidding war” after the incredible buzz the movie received after it’s screenings.

A late December release which will gradually grow wider through January with a big late Academy Award marketing campaign is expected. Let’s hope this one can find an audience.

A movie titled The Wrestler is an Oscar contender?

And from Darren Aronofsky no less, whose last movie The Fountain was booed out of most festivals it played at?

Playing at The Toronto International Film Festival, Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke as a down and out two decade wrestling veteran who is convinced to return to the ring for one last outing despite heart trouble has received stellar reviews.

Add to that, it also won “The Golden Lion Award” at the Venice Film Festival, the top prize for movies playing in competition.

Bolstered by a career-best performance from Mickey Rourke and outstanding work by Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood… “Wrestler” oscillates between hard-edged naturalism and stock melodrama but ends on an understated note of melancholy that seems just right. - Stephen Farber, The Hollywood Reporter.

Not only does he pull it off, but Rourke creates a galvanizing, humorous, deeply moving portrait that instantly takes its place among the great, iconic screen performances. An elemental story simply and brilliantly told, Darren Aronofsky’s fourth feature is a winner from every possible angle. – Todd McCarthy’s glowing review in Variety.

“Rather, it’s tender, finely detailed and moving – aided in no small part by Aronofsky’s feeling for the disorder of ordinary lives, and his elegant visual sense… but it’s also the emblem of this sad and unexpectedly beautiful film – an ode to C-list celebrity, and the difficulty of making a life in the shadows, once the bright lights have faded. – Shane Danielsen, Times Online.

Peter Sciretta from /film also loved the film, putting it in his TOP THREE of the year, which is no small feat considering The Dark Knight would instantly take one of those slots.

The movie has yet to be picked up for distribution, which is why we have not been treated to a trailer just yet. Though after this buzz, have to believe it will be soon… even if wrestling isn’t the easiest genre of movie to try and promote.

As we await the announcement of just when we can see the film, you can preview Clint Mansell’s score for the picture on his Myspace page.

Discuss: Non-wrestling fans, those who absolutely have no interest in the sport altogether… how well reviewed will this movie need to be before you get interested?