Film Review – The Iron Claw

Sean Durkin, director of “The Nest” and “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” heads to the world of professional wrestling with “The Iron Claw.” The picture isn’t an examination of the business, but a study of one family’s experience with sports entertainment as they face numerous tragedies over the years. It’s the tale of the Von Erich clan, with matriarch Fritz putting his faith and fears into his sons to carry on the family name in pro-wrestling, only to help steer the boys to increasingly dire ends. “The Iron Claw” is a somber feature, but Durkin commits to the darkness in a brave manner, highlighting the strangeness and sadness of the Von Erichs, with son Kevin living long enough to witness emotional and physical brutality. It’s a powerful film, and one that captures the atmosphere of pro-wrestling and also the intimacy of heavy feelings emerging from people who have no idea how to communicate them to others. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com