Last year, Bayonne got treated to a visit from Mickey Rourke when he was filming “The Wrestler.”
But according to Sue Facter, a Bayonne native who writes for “USA Today” and other publications, Bayonne actually figured into two films that contended for Oscars at the Feb. 22 Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences’ annual show.
Facter caught up with both stars during a trip to the West Coast prior to the ceremonies last month.
Mickey Rourke, who filmed part of “The Wrestler” in the peninsula city, and Bayonne born Frank Langella were both vying for Best Actor in a Motion Picture. Langella was up for his role of Richard Nixon in “Frost/Nixon,” which he originated on Broadway.
“Although he did not receive the gold, Rourke did receive an Independent Spirit Award on Saturday, as well as the film,” Facter said recently. “In fact, he has a shelf full of awards for ‘The Wrestler.’ ”
Mickey Rourke, star of “Man on Fire” and “Sin City,” paid a day trip to Bayonne in January 2008 when he filmed “The Wrestler” at several locations along Broadway.
Co-starring with actress Marisa Tomei, Rourke plays a character named Randy “The Ram” Robinson, an aging wrestler seeking to make a comeback against his former rival.
Although the film seems to echo a little of the boxing classic “Rocky,” the film crew claims “The Wrestler” was done in a documentary format. It was directed by Darren Aronofsky, who also directed “Pi” and “Requiem for a Dream.”
Filming took place at three locations along Broadway – uptown at Color & Cuts Salon early in the day, later at Tropical Tanning, and finally at the Dolphin Gym in midtown.
Falisha Hefnawy, owner of Color & Cuts, said scouts for the movie had come in earlier to look over the place, seeking a unique look that apparently her place had.
Cindy Delesky, owner of Tropical Tanning in downtown Bayonne, almost got a role as the woman at the front desk when the actress scheduled for the shoot did not show up on time.
“I was supposed to be in the scene when he came in,” she said. “But the actress showed up.”
As with Color & Cuts, the name of Tropical Tanning was to appear in the movie since the set-constructing crew moved the name to a more prominent location, Delesky said.
The Tropical Tanning shoot was supposed to be relatively short, but turned out to last almost six hours, with Rourke’s stand-in earning his money as a short distance sprinter as he repeatedly went in and out of the store to get the entry shot set up right.
Rourke not only shot his segment of the film here, but also came back later for a tan, pausing to talk with Delesky.
“He said he liked Bayonne and used to be Dr. [Jack] Smith’s patient,” Delesky said. “He said he really loved the doctor.”
The crew apparently made a very good impression on both Hefnawy and Delesky, who described them as helpful.
“They gave me a mural,” Delesky said.
Apparently, the film set required a mural for the back wall. The staff asked Delesky if she wanted it set permanently.
“Hollywood is calling Mickey Rourke the comeback kid.” – Sue Facter
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“I liked it so I said I wanted it,” she said. “They spent hours making sure it was glued up right.”
Rourke was also filmed at the Acme supermarket near the boundary of Jersey City, where his fictional character was supposed be employed as a deli worker. These scenes included him accidentally slicing his hand on the cold cut machine.
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“Hollywood is calling Mickey Rourke the comeback kid,” said Facter, a Bayonne native based in Los Angeles. She was a Bayonne resident (again) from 2005 to 2008, taking care of family responsibilities. During her career, she has published hundreds of articles in “USA Today” and freelances for several publications worldwide.
“The actors are such two different types,” said Facter, a recent guest at the Golden Globes. “But that’s what you get in the Hollywood mix, like anywhere else, a hodgepodge.”
Facter described Langella as “a New York-based theatre actor with two Tonys under his belt” and said he has always been acclaimed. It was only at 71 that he was nominated for his first Oscar.
“As a kid, I was terribly introverted,” said Langella recently. “Most people become actors because it’s a way to get out of your own miserable life. I created another person, the first onstage at the age of seven. During my career, I could not believe I was from Bayonne. But now, after 47 years of experience, I am very proud to be a New Jersey Italian boy.”
Facter said most of the actors she interviewed at the Globe after-party felt that the highlight of the night was watching Rourke win his category of Best Actor. She said that most rose to their feet when he hit the stage.
Entourage’s Kevin Dillon said afterward, “They always ask me, were you ever a member of an entourage? I was – Mickey Rourke’s. He used to roll with a big entourage and we hung out. We haven’t seen each other in a while. I never jump out of my chair at these awards, but tonight I did. I love a good comeback story. It was the highlight of my night.”
Both “The Wrestler” and “Frost/Nixon” received numerous Oscar nominations. Mickey Rourke convinced New Jersey’s best, Bruce Springsteen, to write the theme song for “The Wrestler” for free. Although he was not recognized by the Motion Picture Academy, Springsteen won a Golden Globe for his “Wrestler” song.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.