Movie Breakdown: The Iron Claw
Pre-Screening Stance:
Zac Efron looks like a weird block of meat in The Iron Claw, but the film itself feels like it’s going to be a powerhouse drama. On a bonus points front, Sean Durkin directed Martha Marcy May Marlene, which I still like quite a bit.
Post-Screening Ramble:
The Iron Claw is one of the year’s more compelling films. It gets underway with an introduction to Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany), a man of pure commitment who intends on being the best wrestler in the world. Unfortunately, he doesn’t quite get there, but he does manage to start a successful wrestling circuit, which he uses to provide for his family and as a way to give his many sons – Kevin (Zac Efron), David (Harris Dickinson), Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), and Mike (Stanley Simons) – an opportunity to be involved in his favorite sport. Of course, this access also comes with Daddy Von Erich’s immense expectations, and it’s his relentless pursuit of wrestling glory that results in a whole lot of tragedy.
I knew a little about the actual Von Erich family going into The Iron Claw, but not enough to be able to tell you what should or shouldn’t have been included in the film. With that being said, I think that writer/director Sean Durkin really nailed the way he lays out the story here. He shows just enough of Fritz, his wife Doris (Maura Tierney), and each of the four sons to give you an idea of who they really were and what they were driving towards, and he manages to do it while keep the film brisk and engaging. Though, to be fair, this narrative accomplishment is certainly aided by a bunch of great performances. Seriously, everyone is great The Iron Claw, and that goes doubly so for Efron, who just embodies the film with a transformative turn – in the ring he’s a tank and in the quiet moments he’s all heart. I haven’t seen much Oscar buzz for his performance, but I’m pulling for him to at least get a nomination.
You can (and should) see The Iron Claw in theaters on Friday, December 22.
One Last Thought:
Lily James sort of floats in and out of this film, but she’s a real delight every second she’s on the screen.
