The Iron Claw, while heartbreaking and devastating, also tells a story of unconditional sibling love. The acting, editing, cinematography, and writing are top-notch.
Going into this film knowing nothing about the true story it is based on is a way to get your heart broken. And that is exactly what I did. Sure, I knew a little bit about wrestling and while I briefly was entertained by Mr. Perfect and Shawn Michaels as a child, I was a little too young to have scene, or really remember, the Von Erich brothers or their tragedy.
Not having any idea what to expect made The Iron Claw that much more devastating. It seems as if around every corner another disaster lurked, just waiting to bear its ugly head and take the Von Erich’s down yet another peg. It almost feels exaggerated and unreal until you look up the true story and discover that somehow, the truth is even worse, as there is a brother, Chris, who is not even mentioned in this film that also suffered a horrible fate.
Zac Efron plays Kevin, Jeremy Allen White plays Kerry, Harris Dickinson plays David, and Stanley Simons plays Mike. These brothers have that unconditional sibling love, and it is brought to life on the screen because of the incredible performances. As with any family, there is some bickering here and there, but one thing is for sure – at the end of the day they have each other’s backs, especially Kevin.
As the oldest surviving brother, he has stepped into the role of a protector. Which is much needed because their father, Fitz (played by Holt McCallany), is a horrible, awful, despicable human being. The suffering of the Von Erich brothers is brought on by him, and every single thing that has happened is a result of the pressure and unrealistic expectations he put on them.
Early on, he – quite literally – ranks them from favorite to least favorite at the breakfast table. Viewers let out a nervous laughter, as it felt like that must be a joke, but it doesn’t take long to realize the type of person he is. All of that being said, this is just the tip of the iceberg according to people who know the story better, and witnessed it play out in real time. The version of Fitz in The Iron Claw is a bit nicer than the real man. That in itself is terrifying.
So much of the movie feels deeply personal and like we are seeing behind the curtain when we shouldn’t be. Watching so many family tragedies, one after another, gets uncomfortable and uneasy. Which, in all honesty, is what it was surely designed to do.
The Iron Claw works as well as it does because of the actors. Each and every one of them deserves an awards nomination for the performances that they deliver. They feel like brothers. They portray the downward decline as devastation riddles their family. Maura Tierney (who plays Doris Von Erich) embodies a mother just trying to get by, while putting up with a husband I think she should have left long ago. Holt McCallany is so unlikable that next time I see him in a film as a nice guy, he is going to have to work really hard to stop me from straight up hating him.
The actors all support one another in each and every scene. They have impeccable chemistry. It is almost immediately forgotten that they are not real siblings, this is not a real family, and thankfully, they are all alive and well. Every one shines, but it is the relationship between Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White, especially in that phone call scene, that is going to rip out viewers hearts (in a good way).
On top of these phenomenal performances, the cinematography, the score, the action sequences, the writing, and the hair, costumes, and makeup all bring something to the table. Everything comes together in order to create a truly unforgettable film that will haunt viewers and break their hearts. The Iron Claw is completely and utterly devastating and absolutely deserves to be seen on the big screen.
The Iron Claw comes to theaters everywhere December 22.
Rating: 5 out of 5
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About The Iron Claw
The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.
From writer/director Sean Durkin and starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons, with Holt McCallany and Lily James.
