Had “The Iron Claw” not positioned itself as a biopic, the exclusion of Chris Von Erich wouldn’t feel so egregious, as the rest of the film is deeply respectful of their lives. This is a film that refuses to revel in the shocking catastrophes that befell this family, and wants the world to remember the Von Erich boys as they once were; dedicated brothers, mountains of muscle, complicated vessels of masculinity, and one of the closest things we’ve ever had to American-made superheroes. For a family that has often been relegated to tabloid fodder in the years following Kerry Von Erich’s death, seeing a film that is more interested in centering on the love they had for one another above all else is refreshing.
In what is arguably the most devastating line of the entire film, Kevin cries to his sons, “Now I’m not even a brother.” The emotional gut-punch strikes twice as hard when you know that this is a modification of the real Kevin Von Erich’s famous statement, “I used to have five brothers, now I’m not even a brother.” I could say this is a film for wrestling fans, a drama depicting a real-life Shakespearean tragedy, or for people who simply want to have conflicting feelings about thirsting after Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White, but none of that would be true. This is a movie that gives much-deserved catharsis to the real Kevin Von Erich, the sole survivor of the decimated dreams of a father for his sons.
“The Iron Claw” is an emotionally eviscerating watch anchored by one of the best ensemble casts of the year. For a film centered on an industry that only succeeds if you buy into the larger-than-life performances, the intimate portrait of a family becoming synonymous with nightmarish vicissitude is enough to work you into a shoot.
/Film Rating: 8.5 out of 10