“The Iron Claw” promises all the hallmarks of a standard sports story. A series of prodigies who shape their sport, high-flying action, over-the-top macho masculinity and a curse that torments our main character. But “The Iron Claw” cannot be compared to your average sports stories. Doing so would be a disservice to it. What happens in the ring becomes an afterthought. All I was left wondering by the end of its run time was, “Where did it all go wrong?”
“The Iron Claw,” directed by wrestling superfan Sean Durkin, follows the real-life story of the Von Erich family, who became wrestling royalty in Texas and laid the groundwork for modern-day pro wrestling such as the WWE. However, the Von Erichs built their wrestling empire at the steepest cost. By age 35, Kevin Von Erich, played by Zac Effron, is the only surviving brother of an original six.
Durkin felt that the losses the Von Erich’s faced were so catastrophic that he only included five of the six brothers, as he worried that the story would seem unbelievable and unrealistic for those not acquainted with the Von Erich story. This is the biggest mistake the movie makes, as it does a disservice to the real-life story of the Von Erich’s in exchange for an easier narrative structure.
Despite Durkin essentially softening the real tragedy, “The Iron Claw” does not hold its punches. After Fritz Von Erich instills in his sons the need to compete and strive for wrestling glory, each brother bonds in their shared chase for immortality in sport. You feel the love and care each brother has for each other, how badly they want each other to succeed, but also the need to prove to each other they’re man enough.
The most powerful moments of “The Iron Claw” come when tragedy befalls the Von Erich’s. The quiet tears shed alone, the arguments at dinner tables, the sense of failure and fear Kevin feels watching his brothers slowly leave him. The macho masculinity and need to perform that wrestling requires become shields for these brothers to avoid facing the loss and suffering around them. As long as they can wrestle, everything will work out alright.
During the back half of the film, you start pleading with the film to stop tormenting this family, but the history is already written. The loss of family makes the brothers drift apart and double down on their vices. Drugs, alcohol, loneliness and the expectation to always appear strong ultimately result in the quiet death of the Von Erich brothers until only one is left. Zac Effron’s physical transformation for “The Iron Claw’’ pales in comparison to the emotional transformation needed for his role. From his point of view, you see his world crumble around him as his brothers, his greatest friends and rivals leave him with nothing but memories.
“The Iron Claw” is bombastic and loud, quiet and meditative, angry and frustrated, tragic and heartbreaking. “The Iron Claw” effortlessly makes you feel connected to a band of brothers, only to leave you hollow and sobbing at the end.
