The tragicomic spectacle of American wrestling, with all its poignant pantomime machismo and showbiz fury, is the subject of Sean Durkin’s deeply sad, odd true-life drama based on the case of the Von Erich family – like the Von Trapp family, only with a ’roid rage death wish.
The Von Erich family was a well-known wrestling legacy from Texas during the 1980s. The large sons, dressed in traditional wrestling attire, were managed by their strict and embittered patriarch. He was driven by his own past disappointment of not achieving success as a young wrestler, which fueled his intense support for his sons. However, due to his harsh and toxic parenting style, the Von Erichs faced numerous tragic events. This story may one day be paired with Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides, as the events depicted are based on real life experiences.
At the center of the story is Zac Efron, portraying Kevin Von Erich, the eldest wrestler-son of the dynasty. Efron’s physical appearance in this movie is remarkable. The youthful boy we remember from High School Musical is no longer present; he seems to have gone through a transformation, similar to Bruce Banner’s. He has bulked up significantly and his entire face and head now have a more rugged, lantern-jawed appearance, resembling a combination of David Hasselhoff and Desperate Dan. (Efron has revealed that this is due to surgery following an accident.) Jeremy Allen White plays his brother Kerry, a frustrated Olympic discus athlete; Harris Dickinson portrays David and Stanley Simons is Mike, who aspires to be a musician. Maura Tierney takes on the role of their tense mother, Doris, who avoids discussing any emotional struggles with her sons, while Holt McCallany plays their stern, crewcut father Fritz. As a wrestler himself, Fritz created a move called the Iron Claw, in which he grips his opponent’s skull in a formidable hold. He uses this on his sons to toughen them up.
Kevin, the boy who desires to please his father above all others, never quite meets his father’s expectations. However, he finds true happiness with his future wife, Pam (played by Lily James). On their first date, Pam boldly brings up the elephant in the room: is wrestling fake? This question, typically posed by women, challenges the male-dominated world of wrestling in a blunt yet crucial way. Kevin responds by stating that wrestling is not fake, as wrestlers are recognized and rewarded by the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) for their skill, technique, and ability to draw a crowd. However, it becomes apparent that the moves performed in the ring are largely improvised within a predetermined storyline.
Durkin demonstrates that the lack of reality is balanced out by the intense suffering endured by the Von Erich family: the grueling training, the accidents, the desperate desire to please a father who will never fully love them, and the numerous injuries and deaths. The family holds strong Christian beliefs and there are multiple shots of a crucifix in their home, bringing to mind Roland Barthes’ essay “The World of Wrestling” where he recounts a fan exclaiming “He is dead, little Jesus, there, on the cross” as a wrestler is in agonizing pain. While it may not be explicitly stated in the film, the reason for these sacrifices remains unclear and Durkin remains loyal to wrestling and its dedicated fanbase without questioning it. However, there is a powerful energy present and the sentimental aftermath scene is truly moving.
Source: theguardian.com
