In some family businesses, tragedy is par for the course. And in the wrestling business, that is no exception. However, when you look at your favorite wrestling entertainer, you have to keep in mind that these people have lives too and go through some things. "The Iron Claw" tells the story of the Von Erich family. The ups and downs that they went through as told from Kevin’s point of view.
This movie would make you feel joy and sadness in seeing the good and bad things that happen to their family. When watching this movie, I feel a lot of heartbreak for them. I remember as a child watching some of their old matches, but never knew the pain that the family went through.
The screenplay was nicely written and the acting was amazing. Seeing the work done in this movie was amazing. Chavo Guerarro, who is from a wrestling legacy family that had ties to the Von Erich family, was the wresting coordinator in the movie, even so much so as playing a small role in the film. This helped to giving the movie a more realistic feel. It turns out that when the movie is based on a family as this, there is a lot of tragedy that has to be left out, and for a good reason. Had they of kept some of the other tragic moments in the film, it would have been super depressing instead of showing a positive change towards the end.
Family is important to me, and in this movie, family is just as important to them. The Von Erich’s are all about family, and that is key to what makes this movie something special. Yes, there is sadness and tragedy, but in the heart of it all, "The Iron Claw" is all about a family that is considered one of the most influential wrestling families out there. In a movie like this, it is hard to keep a positive thought on things as there is such sad family tragedy all around. However, I feel admiration for Kevin Von Erich in that he has endured a lifetime of tragedy and triumphant success. Definitely a movie that I would recommend any true wrestling fan to see so that you have at least some idea on what the Von Erich family went through.