Zac Efron shines with raw performance in The Iron Claw
Film review: The Iron Claw (15) – seen at The Light Cinema, Wisbech
Starring: Zac Efron, Lily James, Holt McCallany and Maura Tierney
Director: Sean Durkin Run time: Two hours, 12 minutes
After a glut of excellent, Oscar-nominated films showing at The Light, it’s the turn of one that missed out on this year’s Academy Awards – much to the annoyance of many of its fans.
This true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made professional wrestling history in the early 1980s, certainly wasn’t overlooked for a nomination because of any lack of quality, more that it was unveiled outside of a festival setting and when all of the major decisions had probably already been made.
It tells the story of the tragic brothers, who set out to become wrestling world champions, partly to satisfy their father's raging ambition after he missed out on the coveted award.
A bulked-up Zac Efron gives a career-best raw, heartfelt performance as older brother Kevin, Lily James perfects her Texan accent as his wife Pam and Holt McCallany is superb as tough-loving, overbearing father and coach Fritz, who ranks his sons in terms of his favourite to least favourite as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
His wife Doris is portrayed brilliantly by Maura Tierney of American TV show ER fame.
The film is warm, moving and downright heartbreaking as the fabled ‘Curse of the Von Erichs’ continues to curtail the family’s successes.
It’s also interesting to get an insight into the world of professional wrestling and how - although we all know that bouts are pre-arranged - hard work, commitment, skill and the quality of ‘performance’ are ultimately rewarded.
From the fashions on show to the soundtrack, the film exudes an Eighties feel and the only thing that lets it down is a slightly squirm-inducing afterlife scene spawned from Kevin’s imagination.
But that’s a small moan from what is truly an excellent movie.
Rating: 8/10
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Got a leisure story? Email sarah.cliss@iliffepublishing.co.uk
