The story of the Von Erich family exemplifies fact being stranger than fiction. Had a Hollywood writer pitched a story with even a fraction of the tragedy, they would've been told to bugger off with such outlandish melodrama. But unfortunately, the "Von Erich curse" is a sadly accurate way to describe the family's history.
Sean Durkin's The Iron Claw centres around the brotherhood of Kevin (Zac Efron), Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), David (Harris Dickinson) and Mike (Stanley Simons) — four boys born to Doris (Maura Tierney) and Fritz (Holt McCallany), a former professional wrestler and owner of World Class Championship Wrestling out of Dallas, TX. While Fritz found some success as a fighter in his youth, his dream was to build a wrestling dynasty, and impressed upon his sons at an early age the virtues of the sport.
Like many great sports movies, the strength of The Iron Claw isn't in the wrestling matches or training montages (although they are exceptionally executed and beautifully shot). The strength of the film isn't even in the depiction of the heart-wrenching misfortune that befell this family. Where The Iron Claw stands strongest is in its exploration of how two men face adversity in two markedly different ways.
As award season ramps up, it's a wonder that Efron and McCallany missed the cut from so many institutions and critics groups. Admittedly, it's been a strong year for performances in both leading and supporting categories, but what these two actors bring to The Iron Claw is nothing short of brilliant. McCallany encompasses Fritz's tough-love persona with such aggression that it's hard to imagine sensing any paternal love. It's a testament to his performance that we as an audience grapple with our own feelings about a character so narcissistic, controlling and belittling. Through McCallany, we find the internal turmoil of Fritz bubbling just under the surface, allowing us to understand the vulnerability he tries so hard to hide.
Conversely, Efron's Kevin wears his vulnerability on his sleeve. The only Von Erich brother to truly stand up against Fritz, Efron delivers a career-defining performance balancing physicality and testosterone-fuelled bro-ness with a tender portrait of a loving husband and father. It seems that, for the first time, Efron has been given an opportunity to truly shine as an actor, and he seizes the moment with intense conviction.
There's so much humanity in The Iron Claw, it almost overwhelms. Between Kevin and Fritz's contrasting responses to the individual suffering of Doris and each brother, beneath the raw grief and pure joy exists a family simply trying to get by amid the bad hand they were given. The brotherhood of the boys is genuinely touching, as the chemistry between Efron, White, Dickinson and Simons feels effortless and worn-in, while Tierney's turn as the matriarch comes to us as restrained yet precariously feral. Durkin's attempt to get to the heart and soul of each Von Erich proves to be successful, layering each fit of laughter and tear of sadness together to build a nuanced character study above all else.
Beyond the elbow drops and neckbreakers, The Iron Claw serves as a not-so-gentle reminder of family's penchant for kindness and sacrifice while simultaneously harbouring the ability to cause considerable harm and sadness.
(Elevation Pictures)Sean Durkin's The Iron Claw centres around the brotherhood of Kevin (Zac Efron), Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), David (Harris Dickinson) and Mike (Stanley Simons) — four boys born to Doris (Maura Tierney) and Fritz (Holt McCallany), a former professional wrestler and owner of World Class Championship Wrestling out of Dallas, TX. While Fritz found some success as a fighter in his youth, his dream was to build a wrestling dynasty, and impressed upon his sons at an early age the virtues of the sport.
Like many great sports movies, the strength of The Iron Claw isn't in the wrestling matches or training montages (although they are exceptionally executed and beautifully shot). The strength of the film isn't even in the depiction of the heart-wrenching misfortune that befell this family. Where The Iron Claw stands strongest is in its exploration of how two men face adversity in two markedly different ways.
As award season ramps up, it's a wonder that Efron and McCallany missed the cut from so many institutions and critics groups. Admittedly, it's been a strong year for performances in both leading and supporting categories, but what these two actors bring to The Iron Claw is nothing short of brilliant. McCallany encompasses Fritz's tough-love persona with such aggression that it's hard to imagine sensing any paternal love. It's a testament to his performance that we as an audience grapple with our own feelings about a character so narcissistic, controlling and belittling. Through McCallany, we find the internal turmoil of Fritz bubbling just under the surface, allowing us to understand the vulnerability he tries so hard to hide.
Conversely, Efron's Kevin wears his vulnerability on his sleeve. The only Von Erich brother to truly stand up against Fritz, Efron delivers a career-defining performance balancing physicality and testosterone-fuelled bro-ness with a tender portrait of a loving husband and father. It seems that, for the first time, Efron has been given an opportunity to truly shine as an actor, and he seizes the moment with intense conviction.
There's so much humanity in The Iron Claw, it almost overwhelms. Between Kevin and Fritz's contrasting responses to the individual suffering of Doris and each brother, beneath the raw grief and pure joy exists a family simply trying to get by amid the bad hand they were given. The brotherhood of the boys is genuinely touching, as the chemistry between Efron, White, Dickinson and Simons feels effortless and worn-in, while Tierney's turn as the matriarch comes to us as restrained yet precariously feral. Durkin's attempt to get to the heart and soul of each Von Erich proves to be successful, layering each fit of laughter and tear of sadness together to build a nuanced character study above all else.
Beyond the elbow drops and neckbreakers, The Iron Claw serves as a not-so-gentle reminder of family's penchant for kindness and sacrifice while simultaneously harbouring the ability to cause considerable harm and sadness.