Darren Aronofsky’s comeback film at the Venice Film Festival, “The Wrestler,” starring Mickey Rourke as an aging professional wrestler who cannot come to terms with his fading career, received the coveted Golden Lion trophy for best picture this year.

It was perhaps a bitter participation for Darren Aronofsky two years ago at the world’s oldest film festival when “The Fountain,” the film he presented then to critics, received mixed reviews.

The 65th edition of the Venice Film Festival proved to be a much warmer place for Darren Aronofsky, as his newest creation was welcomed wholeheartedly by the jury.

German director Wim Wenders, head of the jury this year, announced the winning film and praised Mickey Rourke’s “truly heartbreaking performance.”

As it happens, Wenders was not being only emotional, he was also referring to the drama’s plot: Rourke’s character, Randy “Ram” Robinson, suffers a heart attack and has no other choice than to retire from the fighting ring.

He also has problems of the heart in that he has a troubled relationship with his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and he becomes smitten with an aging stripper (Marisa Tomei).

Wenders also referred to the festival’s rule that prevents Golden Lion winners from receiving acting kudos, an indication that he would have otherwise awarded Rourke himself.

The best actor award went to Silvio Orlando (“Il Papà di Giovanna”) and best actress went to Dominique Blanc (“L’Autre”).

The Hollywood Reporter is meanwhile informing that much attention has been bestowed upon “The Wrestler” at the Toronto International Film Festival, with possible suitors such as Fox Searchlight, Overture and the Weinstein Co. making appearances.

The HR predicted negotiations could carry out through Sunday night, with a possible sale to occur early Monday morning.

Rourke’s film credits include “Rumble Fish,” “9 1/2 weeks,” “Pope of Greenwich Village” and “Barfly.”