Jack Barton Adkisson is an American wrestler who, under the pseudonym Fritz Von Erich, had his hour of glory during the 1950s and 1960s, without ever obtaining the notoriety and recognition to which he aspired.
He nevertheless remained in the history of the discipline for his “iron claw” technique, with which he destroyed his opponents.
Having become the father of five boys (the first of whom died at a young age), he raised them all with the aim that they would succeed him and become world champions…
The world of wrestling, a spectacle par excellence, where the neophyte often has difficulty discerning what is boxing or arrangements between participants, has already given rise to some gems of the 7th art.
Everyone remembers “The Wrestler” (2008), with Mickey Rourke, or “Two Girls on the Mat” (1981), the last film by Robert Aldrich, with Peter Falk.
“Iron Claw”, which is released this Wednesday, January 24, immediately slips into the top three of the best productions of the genre.
And, in one fell swoop, it also enters the pantheon of great biopics, just like that of family chronicles that make us laugh and cry.
Because, between two iron claws, neck breaker and other double nelsons, the film is also and above all an extremely well told American saga.
Taking place over two generations, it focuses on a family that is both typical of the deep United States (the camera lingers at one point on the decor of the Von Erich house, with a crucifix on the wall and a cupboard full of guns) but also slightly dysfunctional (patriarchal tyrant father, self-effacing mother and close-knit siblings), where at least one of the members would like to be able to stand on their own two feet far from the wrestling rings...
Zac Efron all muscles
The training and combat scenes, however, constitute many of the highlights of the feature film.
No room for half-measures, the actors had to invest their all into their role, and it is worth highlighting the incredible performance of Zac Efron, with a build (and hairstyle) worthy of the green Hulk of the series. TV from our childhood.
Muscular to the point of making Thor seem like a sickly weakling, slightly stupid around the edges (the seduction scene with Lily James makes you cry with laughter), he plays a Kevin Von Erich ready to do anything to please his father, but never too happy only in shorts in an arena.
Here we should mention all the actors who play his brothers on screen, but special mention to the rising star, Jeremy Allen White, double Golden Globe winner for his performance in the series “The Bear”.
He is wonderful here as Kerry Von Erich, a taciturn athlete who is also totally crushed by the father figure.
Zac Efron (left), fantastic as Kevin Von Erich, an athlete ready to do anything to please his father.
Metropolitan Filmexport/BBC Film/Access/A24
Of course, the film, which makes some arrangements with reality in order to streamline its scenario (a Von Erich brother is missing, Fritz had 6 sons), is not perfect.
The editing further confuses the nebulous fight, not to mention the vendetta that Fritz Von Erich seems to be waging by proxy against the multiple wrestling federations in the United States.
High testosterone level requires, the female roles also turn out to be reduced to a minimum, even if Lily James and Maura Tierney (“Emergencies”) shine in each of their appearances.
And then, above all, we shouldn't count on "Iron Claw" to settle the eternal wrestling debate, is it a fool's errand or not?
But if you happen to come across Zac Efron, don't tell him, otherwise you'll get a big iron claw!
Editor's note:
4.5/5
"Iron Claw",
American dramatic comedy by Sean Durkin, with Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Lily James… 2h12.