THE IRON CLAW (2023) - Movie Review

Director: Sean Durkin
Starring: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Holt McCallany, Lily James
Genre: Drama, Sports, Biography
Writer: Sean Durkin
Runtime: 132 min
Rated: R for language, suicide, some sexuality and drug use.
Buy This Movie: Blu-ray (Amazon), DVD (Amazon), Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

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Synopsis:

The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers (Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, and Harris Dickinson), 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. Directed by Sean Durkin (The Nest) and also starring Lily James, Maura Tierney, and Holt McCallany.

Review:

I don't think I can recall a more depressing story set in the world of professional sports than that of the real-life Von Erich brothers. "The Iron Claw" is a respectful and deeply sad chronicle of the Von Erichs' struggles, unshakable bond, their rise to fame, and disturbing clash with tragegdy. The film also focuses on the devastating effects of the brothers' complicated relationship with their domineering father, a former professional wrestler who had groomed them for success and encouraged an unhealthy sibling rivalry.

Writer/director Sean Durkin ("The Nest", "Martha Marcy May Marlene") was a fan of professional wrestling during his youth, and you can really feel that the sport holds a special place in his heart. The wrestling matches are recreated in great detail, and instead of chopping them up in editing, Durkin shot them using full-length single takes, as if watching the whole thing live. It's a great way of highlighting just how intense and engrossing these shows are, as seen through the eyes of someone who has a deep love for the sport and its legacy.

Durkin also assembled an incredible cast. Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich pulls off what is probably a career-defining performance. The actor bulked up enormously for his role to the point where he's almost unrecognizable, but his performance actually adds up to much more than just a radical physical transformation. He has both a commanding and endearing presence that carries much of the film's emotional center. Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson and Stanley Simons are also great as Kevin's siblings, while Holt McCallany is effectively intimidating as their father, and the "heel" of this wrestling story.

"Iron Claw" is a powerfully emotional movie that doesn't manipulate the viewer. It's a tearjerker all right, but not one that bullies you into shedding tears. Durkin allows the story to flow naturally, trusting us to follow along without force-feeding us the emotions we should be experiencing. It should also be noted that there are inaccuracies in the way the true story is portrayed, which is often the case with biopics, including the removal of the youngest brother from the story, of which the director said that "it was one more tragedy that the film couldn't really withstand".

Durking crafted a film that works so well on many different levels. It's not just another sports movie. It's a wrestling saga, a biopic, a family drama and a story of human resilience in the face of tragedy. It's a poignant must-see movie that despite all the pain and heart break, still manages to end on a surprisingly hopeful note.

SCORE: 8/10