Most people might assume that a film about professional wrestling would have about as much appeal and dramatic depth as a circus.
Throw in an ex-teenage heart throb some haven’t seen since Dirty Grandpa, or worse, High School Musical, then any idea of a thought-provoking movie about the effects of grief and abuse seems near impossible.
If that’s the case, director Sean Durkin has taught us a lesson on balancing expectations and what is possible in film with his 2023 motion picture, The Iron Claw.
Starring Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich in this biopic sports drama, Durkin takes your expectations to the chopping block, delivering a story steeped in the complexities of family relationships, while encapsulating the power of brotherhood and the juxtaposition between toxic and healthy masculinity.
The film tells the story of the Von Erich wrestling dynasty and all the interpersonal conflict that accompanies the physical. Fritz (Holt McCallany), the father of the Von Erich boys, is a perpetual whip on the backs of his sons, pushing them towards successful wrestling careers.
While not your ‘typical’ version of paternal torture, Fritz’s constant pressure for his sons to succeed also serves as a constant reminder of what he sees as their shortcomings, or his own.
In the shadow of his father’s obsession, Kevin dreams of a future with his brothers Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), David (Harris Dickinson), and Mike (Stanley Simons), whether that be in or out of the ring.
With the addition of love interest Pam (Lily James), we get to see the relationships around Kevin change and grow, how he deals with the family ‘curse,’ and the unfortunate circumstances that will come about.
The Iron Claw does several things quite well. The cinematography captures the emotions of the actors, effortlessly communicating the importance of a scene without shoving the messaging in the viewer’s face. The use of colour is also executed beautifully.
Akin to Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash, the yellowy colour scheme lures the viewer into a false sense of security, while also projecting youth and innocence in its more light-hearted scenes.
The soundtrack leaves nothing to be desired either. Tom Petty, Blue Öyster Cult, Eddie Money and Canadian legends Rush? Let me pick up the moniker Tom Sawyer and hop in the ring myself.
But even despite these heavy hitters on the soundtrack, the youngest Von Erich brother, Mike’s song Live That Way Forever, outshines them in the context of this film.
On top of all this, the film is based on a true story about the real-life Von Erich family. The biopic stays reasonably faithful to the source material and closely mirrors the reality of notably important events, so keep that in mind before you go looking for the true story; it contains spoilers.
This movie accomplished everything it set out to do. It tackled multiple themes of differing conflicts with so much fluidity and subtly without crowding the story. Grief, love, and masculinity are fleshed out in due course through the film’s runtime, with a conclusion that gives the story the justice it deserves.
Whether you’re a WWE fanatic or a cinephile, this movie will have you on the ropes.
