"The Iron Claw" is a Gripping Film

On Saturday night, I went to the Somerville Theatre to see The Iron Claw starring Zac Efron. 

When I entered the Somerville Theatre, the atmosphere was raucous coming from inside the main theatre. There was a performance of The Slutcracker. Yes, this has been a thing at the Somerville Theatre for 15 years. No, I don't have plans to go see it. Perhaps if I were invited, but I don't think this is a likely scenario.

With the main theatre occupied, I was directed downstairs to Theatre 3 which seats 111 people. When I entered Theatre 3, I had the place to myself. This has happened to me once before in July 2022 when I was the lone viewer for Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down documentary. However, a few minutes before Theatre 3 went dark another gentleman made his way in and sat on the opposite side of the theatre. 

For those who don't know The Iron Claw is about the Von Erich family who are legendary figures in the world of professional wrestling. The title of the movie is based on the family's finishing hold. Fritz Von Erich's World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), based in Dallas, had its hey-day during the late 1970's and early 1980's when brothers Kevin, David and Kerry ruled the roost and gained a worldwide audience most notably with their feud with The Fabulous Freebirds. Two other Von Erichs brothers - Mike and Chris also had brief careers.

Sadly, with the exception of Kevin Von Erich, none of the brothers made it out of their 30's. David died in a hotel room in Tokyo in February 1984 of an intestinal infection at the age of 25. His death came months before he was booked to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title from Ric Flair. That honor would be bestowed upon Kerry in May 1984 at Texas Stadium although Flair would regain the title in Tokyo 18 days later.

Brothers Mike, Chris and Kerry each committed suicide. Mike took his own life with an overdose of alcohol and pills in April 1987 at the age of 23. Chris and Kerry took their lives by shotgun in 1991 and 1993 at the ages of 21 and 33, respectively. Curiously, Chris Von Erich is never acknowledged in the film although the eldest Von Erich Jack, Jr. who died during childhood is mentioned throughout. 

Under the circumstances, the film is told through Kevin's point of view as played by Zac Efron in an extraordinary performance. Efron put on 15 pounds of muscle through intensive diet, workout and wrestling. He needed that extra weight to carry this movie on those newly broad shoulders and the burdens of being the last surviving Von Erich who could never please his demanding father as played by Holt McCallany with exceptional single-minded cruelty. In The Iron Claw, Fritz Von Erich is portrayed as a man who demanded everything from his sons to fulfill his dreams but would not lift a finger if they turned to him for help. 

Maura Tierney was nearly unrecognizable as Doris Von Erich bottling up every emotion and feeling. Kevin Von Erich's wife Pamela was portrayed by Lily James. I knew I recognized her from somewhere but couldn't get a grip from where I had seen her before. When I saw her name in the credits it finally clicked. I remember her from her portrayal of Lady Rose Aldridge in Downton Abbey. In The Iron Claw, the British born blonde sports dark hair and a Southern accent. 

While The Iron Claw is a gripping film, it is one of the most depressing movies you will ever see. It is not for the faint of heart even for those who know of the curse of the Von Erich family. Another note of sadness in the movie comes during a match between Kevin and David Von Erich against Gino Hernandez and Bruiser Brody. Both Hernandez and Brody also did not meet peaceful ends. Hernandez died of an apparent drug overdose in 1986 at the age of 28. Rumors have persisted that Hernandez was murdered. While it cannot be conclusively demonstrated that Hernandez was murdered, the same cannot be said for Brodie who was stabbed to death by fellow wrestler Jose Gonzalez (a.k.a. Invader #1) prior to a wrestling event in Puerto Rico in 1988. Brodie was 42. 

In a movie so full of darkness and tragedy, the only bright note came at the very end when there was a picture depicting the Von Erich with Kevin as patriarch along with Pam, their four children (including Marshall and Ross who are professional wrestlers) and nine grandchildren on their estate in Hawaii. 

On a personal note, I communicated with Kevin Von Erich on a couple of occasions when I was on Twitter a few years ago. Our communication primarily centered on Von Erich's affinity for Israel which is not mentioned in the movie. I remember him telling me that he planned to have his last match in Israel with his sons which he did in 2017. I have no doubt that Israel is deep in Von Erich's mind.

As for Zac Efron, I think those broad shoulders could carry home an Oscar.