The Iron Claw critique - lackluster plot weakens the significance of a real-life wrestling tragedy.

The movie “The Iron Claw,” created and directed by Sean Durkin, is named after a move made famous by wrestler Fritz Von Erich. This move, created by Jack Adkisson in the 1950s, involves a strong grip on the opponent’s face and temples, rendering them unable to move on the ground. While this move may be painful if done with force, like much of professional wrestling, it blurs the line between athleticism and showmanship, genuine pressure and theatrics.

Durkin, who has previously directed the unsettling films Martha Marcy May Marlene and The Nest, explores intriguing territory in his latest feature, The Iron Claw. Much like his previous work, Durkin blends elements of reality and fantasy, creating a complex mix of supernatural, psychological, and social themes. The film follows the downfall of the Von Erich family, a real-life American professional wrestling dynasty led by patriarch Fritz (played by Holt McCallany) and his wife Doris (portrayed by the underutilized Maura Tierney). As with Durkin’s other characters, the Von Erichs are plagued by paranoia and the fear of succumbing to the “family curse” – a legend in certain parts of the US that brings hardship, injury, illness, and death to its members.

While Durkin’s other works are complex and nonlinear, with shifts in time and perspective, The Iron Claw is fairly straightforward. Despite the talented cast, the story can be frustratingly difficult to understand. The film begins and ends with Kevin Von Erich (played by Zac Efron) reflecting on the curse that has plagued his family. Kevin is the second-oldest son of Fritz, a successful sports figure in 1980s Texas, and the sole survivor of his five brothers. The oldest son, Jack Jr, tragically died at the age of six in a bizarre accident, seen by some as an early indication of the supposed curse.

Efron’s newly defined jawline and bulging muscles give him the appearance and movement of a man who is uncomfortable in his own skin. This portrayal is fitting for his character, Kevin, who is Fritz’s most devoted wrestling student but struggles with the sport’s emphasis on showmanship and confidence. Kevin explains the concept of wrestling championships to Pam (played by Lily James) on their first date, which serves as a quick summary of their relationship as she goes from spectator to girlfriend to strained wife.

At first, The Iron Claw embraces the exaggerated drama and gratification of pre-WWE wrestling, set in the Sportatorium mini-arena in Dallas where Fritz Von Erich held his own tournament. The venue is both a grimy local hangout and a source of triumph for the regulars who attend. Durkin’s clever use of cameras and sound effectively capture the intense sensations of professional wrestling – enough to make one flinch at the physical extremes and pain endured by the performers, but not so much as to deter the faint-hearted. The film also exudes a dynamic energy that reflects the genuine charm of the Von Erich brothers – Kevin, David (portrayed by Harris Dickinson, who gives a standout performance), Kerry (played by Jeremy Allen White from “The Bear”), and Mike (portrayed by Stanley Simons). Their success in the wrestling world has made them a well-known and respected family.

Unfortunately, the film takes a turn for the worse as it becomes a somber series of tragedies. While these events are devastating in theory, they are not given enough time to truly impact the audience due to the film’s lengthy runtime of two hours and 12 minutes. In order to save time, the story skips over the son’s tragic fate, which is unbelievable considering the immense suffering experienced by this family. The director, Durkin, portrays the infamous curse as a mix of superstition and truth – a way to explain the constant misfortune that plagues the family. However, it is also used as a way to hide and excuse the mental illness prevalent in the family’s males.

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However, a large portion of this is distant; except for Kevin, we only spend limited time with each brother and gain little insight into their personalities outside of the family dynamic. The same can be said for Fritz, who may express pride in his sons but ultimately remains tough, severe, and unyielding. The portrayal of professional wrestling in the latter montages of the film also becomes perplexing as it blurs the line between real pain and staged performance, causing more confusion than thought-provoking moments.

However, the Von Erichs faced numerous hardships, and Durkin effectively portrays this. The latter half of the film has a noticeable absence and subdued tone as Kevin becomes more isolated and Efron portrays a man without a sense of direction due to the lack of family. The concluding scene is emotional, but for such a tragic tale, one would expect a stronger impact.