The Iron Claw (Sean Durkin) • Page 9

I don’t agree with that at all, TBH.

 

Saw this last night, it's just due to be released in the UK, and was emotional all the way through. I knew it would be good but I never thought I'd reflect on this as much as I have.

 

still cant wait to see this. hope it hits a streaming service soon

 

when does the 4k drop though

 

I assume you don’t want digital 4K, so my guess for a physical release would be March if they’re dropping it on VOD now

 

The complete award season snub of this enrages me

 

a24 fumbled the release, it’s on them not the voters

 

I can’t believe I didn’t see that merch coming. a24 is always so good

 

wont catch me paying $48 for it though

 

Just bought it on VOD and watching for the first time now

I love Kev's explanation to his date why getting a championship title in pro wrestling is still a big accomplishment even though it is predetermined .

 

Wait you didn’t even catch it in theaters?

 

I haven't seen a movie in theatres since pre-pandemic honestly

 

I don't get the criticism this got from Dave Meltzer where he said "they didn't do a good job getting across why the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship was such a huge deal". They're doing a pretty fantastic job of that so far.

Also holy shit the Harley Race in this is perfect

 

Wow they really sold how fucked up with brain damage and not ok to wrestle Mike was after his Toxic Shock. That whole press conference scene was no exaggeration.

 

There's plenty to like here, but I'd say it falls pretty firmly in the "good, but not great" territory overall.

Some gorgeous cinematography, particularly around the use of interior colors and exterior natural lighting and composition. With the amount of emphasis on family and brotherhood, it's fascinating to see how those intimate moments feel claustrophobic and suffocating whereas the tussling and violence in the ring is a place of comfort, space, freedom, and openness.

The final few scenes pack an emotional bodyslam—dear lord, those last few exchanges hit—and while it's certainly debatable, I think the filmmakers likely made the right call in making the story less depressing on film than it actually was in real life. Even in its current form, it almost feels like a series of unrealistic, relentless tragedies tied together by the "Von Elrich Family Curse," but in the end, that's basically how it went down.

My main issues are with elements of the journey to that final catharsis. The father Fritz is a crucial element to what makes the Von Elrich family and drives them to their destiny of wrestling, but the way he's written leaves a lot to be desired. Everything he says feels purely in the service of exposition and explanation of motivation. It just doesn't feel real or organic on paper or through the delivery. Minor gripes pile up elsewhere: the Ric Flair actor is not even close to conveying the larger-than-life figure and takes you out of a massive scene, the general casting and aging feel off, and the script occasionally feels stilted. But as a story of Americana, what it means to be a brother and son, and a relentless pursuit for something larger than yourself at all costs, you could do a lot worse.

 

God damn i knew the story but…what the fuck man


Robbed for awards season

 

The Ric Flair promo sucked, but the locker room part where he is like "hey kid where can we get fucked up around here?" while covered in blood was pretty good.

 

I feel like it sucked on purpose though? Like clearly it was also a dig at Flair. But if not yeah worst casting choice in a long time

 

I went into this without any prior knowledge and, holy shit, what an emotional ride. Fantastic film.

 

I like how this movie is incredibly conventional in terms of plot and dialogue (not a bad thing), but contains some of incredibly unconventional creative cinematography. It is a very interesting mix.

The Mike ghost shot was incredible.

 

As much as I loved this, I do honestly agree that this deserved to be a limited series.

 

The close up of Efron after he gets slammed on the floor was so intense. I thought his back was broken.