By Marc S. Sanders
A compelling sports movie requires that uphill battle that must be overcome. Rocky achieved that standard. Raging Bull might not have reached a plateau for its protagonist to defy his faults, but Jake LaMotta’s demons were effectively on display. Reminiscent of that film, is The Iron Claw – the wrestling film that reenacts that supposed cursed theme linked with the famed all star Von Erich family.
Writer/Director Sean Durkin opens his film with the patriarch of the family, Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany), in the ring and putting his signature move, THE IRON CLAW, on an opponent. The title of the picture occupies the screen in big letters, and we jump to the late 1970s where the four sons of Fritz are having breakfast. Fritz tells the youngest, Michael (Stanley Simons), that he needs to start working out, building his physique to catch up to his impressively built brothers if he wants to compete like them. Fritz makes it clear he loves Mike the least but the rankings can change if he works at it. Durkin’s breakfast scene sets off the pattern of the film where the four boys will have to live under the mantra of their father’s iron claw of unwavering expectations.
The stand out role belongs to Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich. If he does not earn at least an Oscar nomination, then people have not been paying attention. Kevin is establishing a name for himself in the nearby Texas wrestling federation, and Fritz sees opportunity for him to carry the torch of the family into national and worldwide championships. What Fritz could not accomplish in his youth, he will ensure his sons complete. If it is not Kevin, it’ll be one of the other boys. Kevin is protective of his brothers, as best he can against their father. The mother, Doris (Maura Tierney, another under the radar performance), makes it her mission to stay out of her husband’s controlling design of mentoring in a household where almighty God will lead the way, and handguns represent the American freedom to bear.
The other brothers consist of Kerry (Jeremy Allen White) and David (Harris Dickinson). Kerry was on his way to Olympic gold in shot put until the United States opted to withdraw from the games. Thereafter, Fritz directs his boy’s focus on wrestling as well. Kerry eventually finds himself in the center ring spotlight too. Durkin’s film shapes out each boy’s destiny as cause and effect based on the outcomes of the other boys.
I do not want to share much more. While I had heard of the Von Erich family, I was not familiar with what they encountered during the boys’ young adult upbringing and within the spotlight. Sean Durkin writes well drawn characters based on the real-life figures. Fritz was a villain, a harsh antagonist, who was not so much a father as he was a chess player using his sons as pawns to win and win again. If a setback occurred, then he turned to another athletic boy in his regiment to step up and fill a void. If one of the boys were progressing, then he became the father’s primary focus, while another was pushed down a notch. Holt McCallany is astonishing in this role. Fritz was a coach and hardly a father. Any scene he occupies defines the obedience his character expects of his family. Along with many others involved in the film, he is worthy of Oscar recognition as well.
Zac Efron has gone full method with a chiseled body and a mop top haircut that is a full departure from his pretty boy athletic physique. As Kevin, what he’s done with his body should garner applause, but Efron’s character is tormented with never accomplishing enough, while accepting his father’s oversight when opportunity presents itself with one of his other brothers. Kevin and his siblings are absolutely forbidden to cry at loss or setback. This only allows the pain to remain unhidden on Efron’s face. With no dialogue, the lead actor puts his insecurities and suffering on display whether he’s in the ring, working out or crouched in bed. This is a stellar performance, in line with Robert DeNiro’s unforgettable portrayal of Jake LaMotta – a tortured, yet talented soul and athletic fighter imprisoned within inescapable circumstances.
Efron has terrific chemistry with Lily James as Pam, Kevin’s wife. She is an impressive actress worthy of more attention to her career. Lily James is not the headliner of this picture, but her response to scenes with Efron and a particular one with Maura Tierny make her acting partners all the more effective.
As the mother to these powerful men, Maura Tierny mostly hides in the background. Should there be a chance she earns an Oscar nomination, the scene where she simply stares despondently at a black dress offers enough evidence. This one standout moment deserves a lot of attention.
Sean Durkin is worthy of enormous accolades. He has an ability to depict multiple stories occurring in one caption. There’s a dizzying moment where Kevin, Kerry and David are working through their own respective progress. Durkin blends the three athletes together, where you eventually see one hulking, flexing chest. Above, are the blurred, sweaty faces of the three men meshed together and over one another, while working through their regimental exercises. Their faces are layered upon each other.
A later scene will show Kevin and Kerry practicing in an outdoor ring, with Kerry fighting a hard physical challenge. In the foreground of this nighttime exercise, is a flashlight moving through the fields. A subsequent moment will explain that significance. Sean Durkin beautifully balances several biographies within this famed family. You are viewing multiple stories at once, and nothing is ever distracting. This amounts to outstanding writing and directing that demands multiple layers.
I became aware later that there is another son who remains unaccounted for in this picture. Apparently, that story was cut for pacing issues. I’m not sure I’d say it’s unfair to disregard that person within the confines of this picture. Most biographical films take certain liberties to assemble an engaging structure, and frankly the destiny of that son is similar to what occurs with others in the movie. Durkin opted to avoid appearing repetitive in his storytelling. So, I stand by this decision.
The Iron Claw is certainly the most surprising film of the year for me. Based upon what happened within the Von Erich family, it seems so apparent that a movie would eventually be generated. Yet, falling into melodramatic schmaltz with a drama like this is an easy trap. Sean Durkin dodged that obstacle with a sensational cast. There is not one weak performance in this picture. You could make a separate film out of each perspective offered. It’s fortunate that Durkin found a way to balance everything beautifully.
The Iron Claw is one of the best pictures of the year.
2 UNPAID MOVIE CRITICS!!!! 