Directed by Sean Durkin and starring Zac Efron, Lily James, Maura Tierney and Jeremy Allen White The iron claw follows the Von Erichs, a wrestling family that dominated the sport for years.
The Von Erichs really existed. This dynasty ruled wrestling for several decades, with Father Fritz (Holt McCallany) notably “inventing” his famous “Iron Claw” hold. And the patriarch is full of ambition for his sons, whom he pushes to perform in the ring, whether they agree or not, sick or not, capable or not. So Lance (Maxwell Jacob Friedman), David (Harris Dickinson), Kerry (Jeremy Allen White) and Kevin (Zac Efron) will fight to the applause of the crowd, but at what cost?
Undoubtedly the story is tragic because it is true. The Von Erich family – whose real name is Adkisson – paid too high a price, as all of their sons' lives were stopped or ruined by the sport, the violence of which is examined by Sean Durkin.
What stands out (the bad pun is unintended)? Zac Efron's body. The former sex symbol of “High School Musical” and the excellent dancer of “Master of the Stage” has become a kind of square-jawed Hulk, devoid of any grace or subtlety of movement. The actor trained like hell to be as realistic and convincing as possible. The blows rain, bang. The orange, oiled flesh glistens in the spotlight. Accidents, suicide, addictions… The price of fame decimated the Von Erichs, who entered the ring like calves to the slaughterhouse under their father's dictatorial rule.
American actor Zac Efron during the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, California, December 11, 2023. (Photo by TOMMASO BODDI / AFP)
Sean Durkin thrilled us with his Martha Marcy May Marlene, which Elizabeth Olsen made known to the whole world in 2011. His 2020 “The Nest” was a little less impressive, and “The Iron Claw” is another downer. In fact, the filmmaker and screenwriter has a hard time structuring his story, and listing the disasters and matches isn't enough to make the feature film work. Maura Tierney's face may illustrate maternal despair, Lily James's face may illustrate conjugal love, and Zac Efron's face may represent stoic resignation, none of them move, as if the moviegoer were constantly in the position of a simple spectator, unable to identify with the protagonists.
“The Iron Claw” hits theaters across the province starting December 22nd.
Rating: 3 out of 5