The Iron Claw movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Iron Claw

This dramatic film based on a true story of the Von Erich brothers is now playing in theaters.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 2 hours 10 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A

IN A NUTSHELL:

The heart wrenching story is based on the true events of the famous Von Erich brothers who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s.

The film was directed and written by Sean Durkin. Well done, Mr. Durkin. The movie has already been nominated for 7 awards, winning two for “Best Ensemble” and “2023 Top Films” by the NBR Award.

THINGS I LIKED:

Zac Efron is massively bulked up and ripped to play the role of Kevin Von Erich. He gives an outstanding performance.
The rest of the cast did an incredible job and includes Maura Tierney, Holt McCallany, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Stanley Simons, and more.
I’m such a fan of the lovely Lily James. She is so talented with accents and just shines whenever she’s on screen. I thought she was perfect in the live-action remake of Cinderella. Too many movies make you forget that she can sing too!
Ryan Nemeth is actually a professional wrestler with the All Elite Wrestling (AEW). His persona is “The Hollywood Hunk.” In 2016, he fought Ross and Marshall Von Erich in real life! Maxwell Friedman is also a professional wrestler in real life with AEW.
I’m not a professional wrestling fan, so I had never heard this story or about the curse of the Von Erich family. This family definitely made a mark on the sport.
Fantastic editing.
Some original music was created by Richard Reed Parry.
The story is heartbreaking and touching.
I loved the scene about the afterlife.
In the end, we get to see a picture of what the real family looks like today. I loved that. Touching.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

A father admits he has a favorite son but tells the others they can work their ranking up or down. What a terrible thing to say to your kids.
Some details have been changed in the movie that are different from what happened in real life. For example, there were 6 sons, not 5.
It’s frustrating to watch a father whose parenting techniques causes deep-seated trauma in his children.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

We see several men in their underwear many times in the film.
We see a guy pleasuring himself in a shower.
An unmarried couple does it in a car (we see them clothed).
We see people take drugs of various kinds

THEMES:

Family
Professional wrestling
Ambition
Brotherhood
Suicide
Love and loss
Tragedy
Curses
Parenting
The value of a name

FUNNY LINES:

None. This is a serious drama.

INTERESTING LINES:

“I don’t believe in curses. I don’t believe in luck. We make our own luck.” – Pam (Lily James)
“We cannot let this tragedy define us. Our greatness will be measured by our response to adversity.” – Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany)
“God loves you, Michael. There’s nothing to be scared of.” – Doris Von Erich (Maura Tierney)
“Men don’t cry.” – Kevin Von Erich (Zac Efron)