Mickey Rourke's career had significantly declined by 2008 following years of difficult behaviour, substance abuse issues and poor film choices. His comeback came through Darren Aronofsky's 2009 film "The Wrestler," in which he played a fading wrestler seeking to rebuild his career—a role that mirrored Rourke's own life struggles. The film restored his credibility and earned him Oscar nominations, allowing him to reflect philosophically on his past failures.

Early in his career, Rourke held much harsher views about his work. According to a 1988 biography, he expressed significant regret about several notable films, including "A Prayer for the Dying," which he stated he was "ashamed" to have made. He also criticised "The Pope of Greenwich Village," "9½ Weeks," "Angel Heart" and "Iron Man 2" for reasons ranging from creative restrictions to lack of directorial control. These earlier condemnations contrasted sharply with his later, more philosophical perspective that failure was an inevitable part of the creative process.