The words spoken by the Von Erich brothers’ father, “Our greatness will be measured through our response to adversity,” perfectly encapsulates what “Iron Claw” is about. The film, which was released in late December, tells an incredible story of loss, family, masculinity, faith and superstition through the true events of the rise and fall of the Von Erich brothers, a family of wrestlers. “Iron Claw” is Sean Durkin’s third film, and like his previous productions, it does not shy away from the crushing responsibility of manhood..
The film follows the career of the Von Erich brothers and their success as they make history in the world of wrestling in the early 1980s. The family rose to fame in Denton, Texas, where three of the Von Erich brothers became stars in the ring under the guidance of their father, Fritz Von Erich, a retired wrestler. Throughout the brothers’ time as wrestlers, Fritz pushes them to be their very best so they can bring home the NWA World Heavyweight Championship belt that he never could.
Durkin tells this story with beautiful shot composition paired with great costumes, set design and a soundtrack that fully immerses you in the 80s and the sport of wrestling. There are only a few films out there about the wrestling world, and this film gives the audience insight into what it is like with the complications of love and family.
“Iron Claw” portrays the societal issue of toxic masculinity and the problems it can bring to many men and families. The film begins with Fritz speaking to his wife during his wrestling career about his responsibility to provide for his family and his unprecedented drive for success. When he retires, he carries those ideals and lectures them to his sons. As they train to be the very best in the ring, the pressure of meeting their father’s expectations looms over the brothers. This causes them to compete for Fritz’s approval, but also develops a true brotherly love between them.
Durkin shows the story of this family in a fluid manner that engages the audience so they feel every hardship that occurs. The push from Fritz for greatness of their family name gives the brothers no time to be in check with their emotions, leading to a downward spiral as they are pushed past their limits. Because the brothers do not share their emotions throughout the film, Durkin uses visual storytelling to portray how different people cope with hardship and loss.
Along with the display of masculinity at the heart of this story, “Iron Claw” also dives into the constant battle of the belief in faith versus superstition. The brother at the center of this story, Kevin Von Erich (Zac Efron), is constantly at battle with the faith he has in the sport of wrestling and God and the belief in the curse his family has had since his oldest brother, Jack Jr. passed away in 1959. With the dynamic of the family being so competitive and back and forth between victory and sorrow, Kevin and his brothers continue to change their beliefs, creating conflict among the family and ultimately resulting in their downfall.
“Iron Claw” not just being a standard biopic within the sports genre, but also telling a story about hardship, sets this film apart from others in the genre. Durkin effortlessly engages the audience in the birth of national wrestling and the greatest family in the sport by showing the passion and showmanship of these brothers, as well as the struggles they face when dealing with loss and family expectations. Although this film tells the painful drama of this broken family with a name to live up to, it does not leave you in an emotional downturn. There will always be hope in the darkest of times, even when there is conflict with those who are closest to you. This film leaves you with restored faith in love and perseverance.
