Greetings again from the darkness. Tragedy. Destiny. Curse. Those last two may be a matter of perspective or opinion, but without a doubt, that first one fits, and is actually mandatory when discussing the infamous wrestling family known as the Von Erichs. I was fortunate to attend the world premiere of writer-director Sean Durkin's movie at the historic Texas Theater in the Oak Cliff community of Dallas, Texas. While it's a movie worth celebrating, it had to be an emotional evening for Kevin Von Erich, who attended with members of his family, as did most of the main cast, the director, and some crew members.
Jack Adkisson took on the professional wrestling name of Fritz Von Erich, and became well known as a German villain within the squared circle. Tragically (there's that word), five of his six sons preceded him in death (three by suicide). The film's opening scene shows Fritz (played well by Holt McCallany, "Mindhunters") using his titular iron claw to win a match. Afterwards, he meets his wife (Maura Tierney) and a couple of their young sons in the car and promises that life will get better once he's the World Champion. Of course, that day never comes, and having felt he was cheated out of his chance, Fritz uses that chip to raise and train his boys that being the toughest and fastest means nothing can hurt you. How untrue that becomes.
A bulked up and ripped Zac Efron plays Kevin, Jeremy Allen White ("The Bear", "Shameless") is Kerry, Harris Dickinson (TRIANGLE OF SADNESS, 2022) is David, and Stanley Simons plays Mike. One brother died at age six from an accident, and filmmaker Durkin chooses to ignore brother Chris in order to keep the focus on the known wrestlers. Kerry was a competitive discus thrower denied a shot at a gold medal when President Carter announced the 1980 Moscow Olympic boycott, and soon after, joined the family business. Mike was the sensitive brother much better suited to pursuing his music than joining his spandex clad brawny brothers in the ring, which he did under duress from dear old dad.
This may appear to be just another sports movie, but I'd argue that it has more in common with FIELD OF DREAMS (1989) as a peek into male sentiment and emotions … this one centered on brotherly love and a desire to please dad. Fritz may now be viewed as a throwback father on a mission of manic masculinity and machismo, but he's played as a man who believes he is doing right by his family … even though he readily admitted which son was his favorite, and prefacing it with the pecking order can change based on success.
Durkin does show us the progression of wrestling careers, including the ongoing rivalry with wrestling icon Ric Flair, but it's the personal relationships that matter most here. Lily James (YESTERDAY, 2019) provides a spark of charm and likability as Pam, who ultimately marries Kevin (they have been together since 1980). Classic rock songs fill the soundtrack as the brothers wrestle and wrangle through the 1980's. All of the actors deliver nice work, though it's Zak Efron who carries much of the film's weight, and does so exceedingly well. With MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (2011) and THE NEST (2020), Sean Durkin seems to have an affinity for haunting stories, and proves more than willing here to take head-on the Von Erich curse and corresponding tragedies.
Opens in theaters nationally beginning December 22, 2023
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