A rather by the number movie about bad parents and theatrical sports. The direction is as heavy handed as the writing and Efron looks like Lou Ferrigno which would be ok if he didn't also act like him. But hey he's unrecognizable so that must mean he's good?
I should've done some research on the Von Erich family before watching this. I wasn't quite prepared for the sheer tragedy of it all. That said, now that I have looked it up, it turns out the full story is even more tragic, if you can believe that...
There was a lot of love for The Iron Claw when it was in theaters, but while it's a well-made drama, I'm not sure it ever truly transcends its status as a biopic for me. I don't know enough about wrestling to recognize the Von Erich family as a thing, nor whether Rick Flair is well cast or not (apparently not), but it initially at least feels like a fiction. An overbearing father (a powerful presence in Holt McCallany) lives through his sons vicariously, trying to get an elusive title belt "for the family", no matter the cost. Add to that an apparent family curse that does seem to manifest in a series of tragedies, as an unrecognizably swole Zac Efron (as the good-natured and rather guileless older brother) grows more and more despondent. Good, done for real, wrestling action and some grace notes at the end (one of which is questionable) don't really distract from the structure, which has one thing happen after the other, as per life, with only the most subtle of cathartic moments to wrap the story up before we go to some inevitable caption cards. Lily James is particularly badly served as Efron't wife, a woman with no apparent motivations except that she "wants that". It's still a strong, depressing drama that should inflame your daddy issues, but I've got my usual biopic blues.
when your kids hate you so much but don’t have the emotional skills to cope with that so they end up hating themselves and destroying the future you planned for them because it’s not the one they want. yeah. i'm thinking toxic parenting really is a curse.
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Comments 1 - 10 of 10
BadFluffy
A rather by the number movie about bad parents and theatrical sports. The direction is as heavy handed as the writing and Efron looks like Lou Ferrigno which would be ok if he didn't also act like him. But hey he's unrecognizable so that must mean he's good?Jumping Elephant
The Iron Claw > The WrestlerNeens
I should've done some research on the Von Erich family before watching this. I wasn't quite prepared for the sheer tragedy of it all. That said, now that I have looked it up, it turns out the full story is even more tragic, if you can believe that...beasterne
Why must our family be cursed by the inability to make good decisions?Siskoid
There was a lot of love for The Iron Claw when it was in theaters, but while it's a well-made drama, I'm not sure it ever truly transcends its status as a biopic for me. I don't know enough about wrestling to recognize the Von Erich family as a thing, nor whether Rick Flair is well cast or not (apparently not), but it initially at least feels like a fiction. An overbearing father (a powerful presence in Holt McCallany) lives through his sons vicariously, trying to get an elusive title belt "for the family", no matter the cost. Add to that an apparent family curse that does seem to manifest in a series of tragedies, as an unrecognizably swole Zac Efron (as the good-natured and rather guileless older brother) grows more and more despondent. Good, done for real, wrestling action and some grace notes at the end (one of which is questionable) don't really distract from the structure, which has one thing happen after the other, as per life, with only the most subtle of cathartic moments to wrap the story up before we go to some inevitable caption cards. Lily James is particularly badly served as Efron't wife, a woman with no apparent motivations except that she "wants that". It's still a strong, depressing drama that should inflame your daddy issues, but I've got my usual biopic blues.dippygirl78
well... that was upsetting!Simon Lavender
Very good. Wife loved it.Watched it for The Texas Tornado R.I.P.
NourNasreldin
The feel-bad movie of the year.Fuck, I'm so sad.
But at least, I lived to see Zac Efron's real acting showcase, he is absolutely incredible in the film.
I'm still sad.
Fastkit
This movie truly hits you. Powerful acting. Zac Effron is outstandingucuruju
when your kids hate you so much but don’t have the emotional skills to cope with that so they end up hating themselves and destroying the future you planned for them because it’s not the one they want. yeah. i'm thinking toxic parenting really is a curse.