60. The Iron Claw; movie review

 

THE IRON CLAW

Cert 15

132 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, drug misuse, suicide

"That can't be his real body..."

Mrs W wasn't having it that Zac Efron could have bulked himself virtually square for Sean Durkin's excellent The Iron Claw.

And as for his haircut... what happened to the perfectly coiffured Hollywood heart-throb?

It transpires that there is greater depth to the High School Musical star than we could have imagined, so the hair was simply to replicate the Purdey look of his character, Kevin von Erich.

Oh, and he underwent a rigorous training regime to create Schwarzenegger-style muscles.

Actually, Efron is terrific as one of four brothers who are brought up to continue the legacy of their famous wrestling father.

They are inseparable, always encouraging each other despite the menacing presence of their domineering dad (Holt McCallany) and strangely aloof mother (Maura Tierney).

Together and separately, they go up the ranks with an eye on competing for world titles.

However, as they try to please their father, there is a sense of them being pushed too far.

The Iron Claw chronicles the Von Erich family's life from the moment that Kevin becomes champion wrestler for Texas.

His dad maps out his career but insists to his brothers, David (Harris Dickinson) and Mike (Stanley Simons) that they could challenge him for glory.

A fourth brother, Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), becomes part of the equation a short while later.

Meanwhile, the distraction from wrestling arrives with a fan (Lily James) who insists on becoming Kevin's girlfriend.

Durkin's film has plenty of gusty scenes inside the ring and much focus is on the wrestling careers of the boys outside of it.

It has a fierce emotional pull and Efron is at the centre of almost every scene.

The family pressures set it aside from other sports movies and it really tugs at the heart.

Reasons to watch: Intense true story

Reasons to avoid: Upsetting scenes

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8.5/10

Did you know? The eldest Von Erich brother Jack, accidentally suffered and electric shock and drowned in a puddle at the age of six in 1959 outside the family's Niagara Falls home. 

The final word. Zac Efron: "It was really Kevin’s journey and the connection with this family. They suffer immense tragedy, and his ability to persevere through that and to hang on, and just to be relentless, I think that takes immense courage." Deadline

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