REVIEW: THE IRON CLAW

4/5

The Iron Men.

132 Mins. Starring: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons, Holt McCallany & Lily James. Director: Sean Durkin. In: Theatres.

Claw caught in a cruel fate that shows fingers are fickle, if you're not familiar with the history of wrestling, then you'd be forgiven for thinking that 'The Iron Claw' is not a true story. Too tragically unbelievable to be true, but this is as real as a 30 for 30 and needs to be documented for more than the ESPN crowd. As dynamite director Sean Durkin ('Martha Marcy May Marlene', 'The Nest') whose favourite films include 'Jaws', 'The Shining' and the sobering Al Pacino classic 'The Panic In Needle Park' (which this strings out stirringly like) adapts what should be a book for the new modern day legend of an A24 movie (co-signed by the BBC). That number, especially in this year, should certify a classic like Kobe...particularly when it comes to sports drama. But what's almost as surprising as the true nature of this tale, is that this last dance and waltz in the ring avoided the Academy's tickets like wrestling does real hits. But this one, that should be, pulls no punches with an even more fitting tribute to the true nature of wrestling when one character curiously questions its integrity. That word influences and inspires this whole picture that takes its own belt as one of the definitive fighting family dramas, like Miles Teller's post 'Whiplash' blood on the drum skin, 'Bleed For This'. Into an arcade of fire like its searing score from the singer in the mahogany aesthetic of this classic American family truth telling.

Wrestling with Mickey Rourke's Springsteen song 'The Wrestler', and the serious coming out party of Steve Carell, alongside a formidable tag-team tandem of Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo catching foxes, 'The Iron Claw' grabs hold and won't let go as part of that ringside big-three. Sports stories have always provided cinemas with great theatrical takes. The creed of boxing blockbusters like 'Rocky'. All the football films of Friday night lights on any given Sunday. And even all the latest basketball big-hitters like baseball's 'Moneyball' that have come court on a field of their own dreams on a cinematic court canvas. It's like the art of the games themselves, and now wrestling pins you to your compelled seats with this indie hit that will feature in the best kind of local cinemas from fact in Liverpool, to Kino in Tokyo (what a way to go). Clawing away at the game like Tom Hardy's 'Warrior' (also Oscar oppressed) did for UFC in this modern day 'Road House' remake amazon with a cheeky Conor to strut around with Scouser swag from the Irishman. This brutal, yet beautiful biographical film about the Hall of Fame legendary Von Erich family is something you will never forget. Even, if, like me, this is your first introduction to them. Marked by tragedy that seems like a curse, you can guess what happens next, but if this is the first time you've seen them against the ropes, the story should be theirs to tell, not mine. In an all too real film that actually has one heavenly, beautiful moment that's truly touching and looks as genuine as the grace of the angles that walk with us in this spirit of embracing brotherhood. To the Stetson, a Texan theatre premiered this picture, that despite the lack of awards, actually earned the prestigious, undeniable honour of being one of 20213's top ten best by the National Board of Review. This World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) signature move is spearheaded by none other than Zac Efron, with arms and Rock 'Baywatch' body oil for days. But not many pants to go with those budgie smugglers, only distracted by the classic 'cuts. 

Ever since 'High School Musical', Efron has balled out. Showing he had the comedy chops as one of Seth Rogen's 'Neighbors'. But watch this, this is where he really shows you he can actually act like 'The Paperboy' with McConaughey and Kidman. But for his greatest show, man, this is his best biopic since Bundy, ' Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile'. With subtle, bracing beauty as he heartbreakingly sleeps in the gym away from his family and the lovely Lily James in a powerhouse performance, as he doesn't want his newborn to be touched by his curse. You can't blame him, or the hurt in turn that it causes, which is felt...like a curse. Straight out the kitchen, 'The Bear' megastar Jeremy Allen White (built like one, or that hilarious meme of him being Gene Wilder with a gym membership), gives us a deeper and darker turn as an aspiring Olympic discus thrower. Whilst you can 'Trust', that in this 'Triangle Of Sadness', the ever versatile Harry Dickinson will break your heart like he did in 'The King's Man'. You won't believe the incredibly versatile actor is actually British, like you can't deny the "WOO" of Aaron Dean Eisenberg as Ric Flair. The inspired introduction of Stanley Simons, who just wants to sing, will truly break you too. No matter the restrained passion nursing of 'ER' legend Maura Tierney. Alongside the Lavar Ball well-intentioned overbearance of Holt McCallany, and it's road to hell message. For Holt, who character acted with so much of that in so many films before making his mark in Netflix's 'Mindhunter', should have had his Oscar nomination for this. This is kind of the passed over ignorance that the real family's father felt they faced in real-life. In a way, it's a disgrace, but 'The Iron Claw' should get a hold of you for other reasons. To tell you, how fleeting this life is. And that no matter the success, it, or the ones you hold closest, could be all gone in an instant. So hold them, just as close, and don't let go of the notion that real success is found in family and the eyes of the one's staring back at you. As you embrace in the face of it all. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Foxcatcher', 'Bleed For This', 'The Wrestler'.