Sports movies are primed for drama. Professional Wrestling only opens up the opportunity even more, as the nature of the sports entertainment industry has a dark past. The Von Erich’s story is often used as a cautionary tale for those in and around professional wrestling, lending itself well for a cinematic experience. Writer and director Sean Durkin’s film, The Iron Claw, has some impressive performances and cinematography – but it doesn’t quite land with all of the thematic pieces that are embedded in this tragedy.
The film focuses on the oldest brother, Kevin Von Erich (Zac Efron), as he continues his father’s (Holt McCallany) legacy in the world of professional wrestling. His brothers David (Harris Dickinson), Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), and Mike (Stanley Simons) live and train with their father and mother (Maura Tierney) in Texas. They push through tragedy in an attempt to break their “family curse” and gain larger-than-life immortality.
It’s impossible not to notice the style of the film and the impressive look that matches the somber tone. The opening of the film is in black and white, centered around Fritz and his in-ring persona. There is a bit of foreshadowing in this early sequence with the child in the back seat of the car and the noir-style lighting in that moment. This will not be a happy story where the audience lives inspired, and wants to follow in these athletes’ footsteps.
The use of black in the frame is strong time and time again. At one point, a major decision is left up to a coin toss, and the film cuts to almost all black as a silver coin flips up from the bottom of the screen and tumbles back down. These cinematic flourishes really help with the story and the vibe the film is going for.
Efron, White, Tierney, and McCallany all delivered memorable and award-worthy performances. Efron especially steps into this role in a way that sheds anything you’ve seen him in before. There is a subtle suffering in his character. The chemistry he has with Lily James is the glimpse of hope and fun that the film desperately needs, given the bleakness of the story. James is electric in her two opening moments and gets some big highlights later.
The Von Erich story is known by many, and that may hurt the interpretation of the film for some. A number of the tougher aspects of the story feel a little glossed over. Truly, there are several aspects of the characters to explore, but the choices they make feel undercooked. The emotion is there and the performances are strong, but many of the themes that the story touches on don’t feel fleshed out enough.
Still, The Iron Claw is a well-made film, and the story is too compelling to be denied. The tragedy of the Von Erichs is on display, but the reasons behind it feel a little sanitized in the film. The style and images on screen – supported by the performances – really help make up for the lack of substance.
The Iron Claw will be in theaters on December 22.
Rating: Not Quite Golden, Ponyboy
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