‘The Iron Claw’ and the 10 Most Underrated Movies of 2023
Dec 29, 2023
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The podcast discusses underrated movies of 2023, including 'Bottoms' and 'Joyride'. They also delve into pro wrestling and the Von Erich family's representation in 'The Iron Claw'. The challenges of recreating pro wrestling in cinema and casting stars like Zac Efron are explored. The hosts praise acting performances, scenes from the movie, and the emotional portrayal of brotherhood. They share their fascination with the Von Eric family and the struggles of setting up a wrestling venue. They also discuss a visit to MoMA and their experience with a Richard Sarah art installation.
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Quick takeaways
The Iron Claw delves into the tragic history of the Von Erich family, highlighting their personal struggles and sacrifices in the world of professional wrestling.
The film strikes a delicate balance between realism and fantasy, incorporating scenes that blur the boundaries between reality and myth, adding depth to the narrative.
The Iron Claw successfully captures the essence of the larger-than-life sport of professional wrestling, portraying the physicality, passion, and drama inherent in this world.
Despite the challenges faced during production and the uncertainties of the industry, The Iron Claw serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of filmmakers and the enduring power of cinema to explore complex themes and connect with viewers on a profound level.
Deep dives
The Tragic Story of the Von Erich Family
The Von Erichs were a family of professional wrestlers, led by their father Fritz Von Erich. Despite their success in the wrestling world, the family was plagued by tragedy, as all but one of the five sons died under tragic circumstances.
The Challenges of Making a Wrestling Movie
Bringing the tragic story of the Von Erichs to life on screen was no easy task. The filmmakers had to navigate the complexities of making a movie about professional wrestling and find the right balance between focusing on the in-ring action and the personal stories and tragedies that surrounded the family.
Casting and Performances
The cast of The Iron Claw delivered powerful performances, with Zach Efron standing out as the larger-than-life Kerry Von Erich. While some fans may have hoped for different casting choices, the actors brought depth and authenticity to their roles, capturing the essence of the Von Erich family.
The Impact of the Movie
The Iron Claw is a deeply moving and poignant film that explores the tragic history of the Von Erich family. It sheds light on the personal struggles and sacrifices of these wrestlers, and serves as a reminder of the dark side of professional wrestling. The movie stands as a powerful tribute to the Von Erichs and their legacy.
The Iron Claw: A Tragic Story of a Wrestling Family
The Iron Claw is a poignant and emotional film that explores the tragic story of a wrestling family and the complexities of their lives. The movie delves into the world of professional wrestling and its impact on the Von Erich family. It showcases the delicate balance between the family drama and the oddities of the wrestling world in Texas at that time. The film touches on themes of masculinity, family dynamics, and the struggles faced by the Von Erich brothers. The emotional depth and powerful performances of the cast, including Zach Efron and Holt McCallany, bring the characters and their stories to life. Despite the challenges of portraying such a complex narrative, the film delivers a moving and thought-provoking experience for the viewers.
The Challenging Task of Balancing Realism and Fantasy
One of the standout elements of The Iron Claw is its ability to strike a delicate balance between realism and fantasy. The inclusion of scenes that depict an afterlife reunion of the deceased Von Erich brothers could have easily veered into the realm of absurdity, but director Sean Durkin managed to execute them with great sensitivity and emotional impact. These scenes, as well as other moments that blur the boundaries between reality and myth, add depth and layers to the narrative, capturing the complexities of the family's journey and providing a unique visual representation of the tragedy and love permeating their lives.
The Struggles and Triumphs of Filming the Wrestling World
Portraying the world of professional wrestling presents its own set of challenges, but The Iron Claw succeeds in capturing the essence of this larger-than-life sport. From the intense wrestling matches to the creation of the Sportatorium, the film's production team faced the daunting task of recreating the atmosphere and energy of the wrestling world. Through meticulous attention to detail and collaboration with industry experts, they managed to bring authenticity to the wrestling scenes and successfully convey the physicality, passion, and drama inherent in this world. Their efforts resulted in gripping and visually striking sequences that contribute to the overall impact of the film.
Reflections on the Journey and the Future
As The Iron Claw concludes a year marked by the challenges of the pandemic, it stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity of filmmakers. Despite the obstacles faced during production and the uncertainties of the industry, director Sean Durkin remained steadfast in his commitment to telling this powerful story. The film's critical acclaim and the impact it has had on audiences reaffirm the enduring power of cinema, and its ability to explore complex themes and connect with viewers on a profound level. Looking ahead to 2024, there may be uncertainties, but the success of The Iron Claw serves as a reminder of the artistry, passion, and resilience that will continue to drive the film industry forward.
Sean and Amanda each share five movies from the year that they feel were either under-discussed or underrated (1:00), before inviting The Ringer’s David Shoemaker on to dive deep on pro wrestling, the Von Erich family, and the way they’re represented in Sean Durkin’s new film, ‘The Iron Claw’ (28:00). Then, Durkin joins to talk about the unique challenges of recreating pro wrestling’s pseudo-reality in cinema, casting stars such as Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, and Harris Dickinson, what movies he took inspiration from, and more (1:12:00).
