The best movie about wrestling since the Wrestler and Fighting With My Family. Though it just shows classic matches, family scenes and then more wrestling back and forth throughout.
The performances are solid. With everyone believable as the real life Von Erich family. With the reliable Lily James of course also great as Kevin’s (Zach Effron) girlfriend.
Slight real life spoilers:[spoiler] Wrestling was so in the blood of some of the brothers that they unfortunately took their own lives when they couldn’t wrestle anymore. Or to be with their deceased brothers.[/spoiler]
The film leaves out Chris Von Erich who killed himself since the director felt like having Kerry was sad enough.
Though I don’t think one Von Erich shouldn’t have been totally left out. I do some-what get what the director means.
The film does however at least capture how much these brothers love each other and how close they are. As well as capturing some classic wrestling moments.
The Iron Claw moves along smoothly. It just however expects you to know some things that happened on your own. Like Kevin having to team up with a fake Von Erich played by MJF of AEW. When his brothers were injured badly. It didn’t cover too well.
You do get that maybe having a father (Holt McCallany) who was always pushing them to be the best and that wrestling is all they had. That possibly some of the brothers pushed themselves too hard or felt like failures when they couldn’t do it anymore.
The movie can be sad and depressing but also some-what inspiring. Due to the fact of how strong Kevin is and the fact he has lived on. Possibly because he was the only brother to have a wife and kids to help him get through loss.