The Wrestler cleans up at Independent Spirit Awards

source: spiritawards.com

The best of independent cinema was celebrated at the Spirit Awards last night, where The Wrestler was named the Best Feature of the Year.

The Wrestler beat Rachel Getting Married, Ballast, Frozen River and Wendy and Lucy to claim the top prize. Mickey Rourke also trumped Sean Penn (once again) to pick up Best Actor.

Tom McCarthy won Best Director for his work on the acclaimed picture The Visitor. Best First Feature went to Charlie Kaufman‘s Synecdoche, New York, while the John Cassavettes Award went to mumblecore hit In Search of a Midnight Kiss. The Class was named Best Foreign Film.

Oscar underdog Melissa Leo was named Best Actress for her starring role in Frozen River, while Oscar favourite Penelope Cruz won Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Woody Allen also won Best Screenplay for VCB.

James Franco capped a stellar 2008 with a Best Supporting Actor win for his great work in Milk. The Harvey Milk biopic also won virgin scribe Dustin Lance Black the Best First Screenplay award.

Now, please enjoy Mickey Rourke’s acceptance speech from the evening. Seriously – watch it.

WARNING: Coarse language and sexual references (I know, IN A SPEECH?!)

“Eric Roberts is the f*$king man.” Have truer words ever been said?