Zac Efron shines in 'The Iron Claw,' a tale of brotherhood and parental pressure

Some stories are meant for the big screen. And some movies are so elaborate that if they weren’t based on something true, they would seem too far-fetched.

When Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger safely landed US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River, people everywhere turned to the person next to them and said, “I bet they’ll make a movie of this one day.” And of course, they did, with Hollywood favorite Tom Hanks.

But not every story that seems too cinematic to be real has a happy ending. Take, for instance, the story of the Von Erich family. They are a professional wrestling family from Texas with what seems to be a curse that took the lives of almost every male member in a generation.

Director Sean Durkin’s “The Iron Claw” brings the tragic but tender tale of the Von Erich brothers to life with the help of stars Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White and Holt McCallany.

What is the plot of 'The Iron Claw'?

The film starts with the central theme right out of the gate. Kevin Von Erich (Efron) is seen warming up in the ring and his voiceover says, “Ever since I was a child, people said my family was cursed.” He goes on to say that his mother tried to save them through God and their father tried through wrestling.

Flashback to Fritz Von Erich (McCallany), the patriarch of the family, wrestling with his signature move: The Iron Claw. In an intense match shot in black-and-white, reminiscent of “Raging Bull,” it becomes clear that even though he is passionate, Fritz is not going to become a famous and successful wrestler.

He tells his sons that this is because of a family curse, not because of his skill set.

Back in the present, his sons, Kevin, David (Harris Dickinson) and Mike (Stanley Simons) are all living in their childhood home, following in their father’s footsteps and on their way to becoming great athletes. Fritz ranks his kids in an open discussion over breakfast, ranking Kerry (White) first because he is on his way to the Olympics and Mike last because he is more interested in the arts than sports.

Kerry returns to Texas after the U.S. boycotts the 1980 Summer Olympics, and what is clear is that despite parental ranking, the brothers have a loving and supportive bond. So, when the three eldest form a wrestling trio, it becomes the focus of the family.

'None of this is forever': How former Phoenix reporter Daryn Kagan moved up

Is 'The Iron Claw' based on a true story?

Through their father’s pressure, their determination and their love of being together, the Von Erich family wrestlers become a sensation. A classic sports-film montage set to Rush’s “Tom Sawyer” celebrates their rise to fame, but also their jubilation at being able to achieve it as brothers.

Around the time Kevin gets married to his bride (Lily James), a black cloud starts to loom over the family. Mike is found throwing up blood during the wedding, brushing it off as nothing.

He is the first brother to die.

The film spirals into a series of devastating events for the Von Erich family, all placed on the shoulders of Kevin, who is the first to try and break away from the supposed curse.

It showcases the morbidity of toxic masculinity and spotlights the paternal pressure that was possibly the family’s only real curse.

With a story this sensitive, the main actors and Durkin must walk a thin line between showing the events and not exploiting the tragedies of a family. And through excellent performances, “The Iron Claw” succeeds, feeling genuine and heartbreaking.

Efron dazzles with the most mature performance of his career, possibly the beginning of a new turn for him. White and Dickinson play tortured expressions believably. And up against these, McCallany and Simons are two key takeaways in one of the more emotionally shattering films of the year.

'The Iron Claw' 4 stars

Great ★★★★★ Good ★★★★

Fair ★★★ Bad ★★ Bomb ★

Director: Sean Durkin.

Cast: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Holt McCallany.

Rating: R for language, suicide, some sexuality and drug use.

How to Watch: In theaters Dec. 22.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'The Iron Claw' review: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White excel