The Iron Claw is definitely not the feel-good movie of the year, but it is a very good movie.
If you were a hardcore fan of professional wrestling in the 1980s, you’ve likely heard of the Von Erich family. (I say “hardcore” because if you were a casual fan who only watched the WWF Superstars, you might not know of the Von Erich heritage.) I was not a hardcore fan but my stepfather was and we used to watch the independent wrestling shows on satellite television back then. The Von Erichs were huge on a show called World Class Championship Wrestling.
The Iron Claw tells a somewhat fictionalized version of their tragic story. Like most biopics, it plays with the order of events a bit and changes a few things for dramatic purposes. But, by and large, the overarching narrative remains truthful. The name of the film comes from the signature wrestling move of patriarch Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany) which is telegraphed to the crowd before it is applied to the intended victim. The iron claw is a one-handed grip on an opponent’s skull that applies pressure to the temples that makes them submit.
Raised by their father, the Von Erich boys, Kevin, Kerry, David, and Mike, were all eventually groomed to be professional wrestlers. Their father never got the chance to be the world’s heavyweight champion. Living vicariously through his kids, Fritz’s singular goal in life is to get the championship belt around the waist of one of his boys. He attempts to steer them in the direction of success, avoiding the pitfalls of the business that kept him from being champion.
The film chronicles the camaraderie and conflict between the brothers as they all attempt to avoid their father’s wrath while simultaneously trying to win his favor. Kevin (Zac Efron) works hard to perfect his wrestling skills but lacks the mic technique to win over the crowd. David (Harris Dickinson) may not be the strongest but he has a larger personality than Kevin. Kerry (Jeremy Allen White,) who starts wrestling after the 1980 Olympic boycott puts his discus-throwing career on ice, already possesses the most favored status with Fritz. Mike (Stanley Simons) doesn’t want to wrestle at all but would rather be a musician. Of course, he gets treated differently by his father as a result. As Fritz pushes each of the brothers to work as hard as they can, the pressure gets to each of them in a different way.
Writer/director Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene) has crafted a film that doesn’t require you to be a fan of professional wrestling to enjoy. This is a character study about four brothers who try to please their larger-than-life father. It just happens to take place with the world of wrestling as backdrop. Wrestling fans, however, will get a kick out of some of the inside humor and references that are dropped in the script. While I won’t spoil the fates of the Von Erich brothers for you, I will say that one brother was intentionally left out of the script because Sean Durkin felt his story brought too much tragedy to the story. Let that sink in for a second.
The performances from the actors cast as the Von Erich brothers are universally excellent. Zac Efron’s emotional turn as Kevin Von Erich is the highlight of the film. But Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Stanley Simons are all top-notch as Kerry, David, and Mike respectively. Lily James is phenomenal as Kevin’s girlfriend/wife, Pam. She brings a welcome levity to the family dynamic. Holt McCallany’s rendering of Fritz Von Erich feels appropriately callous. The only downside is that Maura Tierney comes across as a bit underutilized as mother, Doris Von Erich.
While the film certainly packs a wallop, I came away feeling that it’s missing something intangible that would have made it a must-see film. The story of the Von Erichs is certainly unique. The cast is excellent across the board. The late 1970s/early 1980s setting feels mostly accurate. (Although, Aaron Dean Eisenberg whiffs on his portrayal of a young Ric Flair.) I can’t quite put my finger on what I think it lacks. Maybe it’s the overall melancholy atmosphere of the ending that puts a damper on my ability to wholeheartedly recommend this movie to everyone.
The Iron Claw is definitely not the feel-good movie of the year, but it is a very good movie. Just don’t expect an uplifting experience.
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
