To think I originally dismissed this movie completely and now, after finally having seeing it, it has become one of the best movies I've seen in some time. The surprises are constant, first I had never heard of of the Von Erich, I didn't know the director and I knew Zac Efron. All details that under normal circumstances would have kept me away but. Oh my goodness! What a wonderful movie, beautifully written and directed and then Zac Efron! A performance of such beauty and of such truth that made me want to see the movie again, immediately. I didn't, but I will. It moved me and shattered me because I believed him. He's not alone, Jeremy Allen White is also superb and the last minutes of the movie found me with tears running down my face. Terrific.

This biographical wrestling drama about the Von Erichs and their family curse where it showcases the life of four brothers - Kevin, David, Kerry and Mike, as they all turn wrestlers. Kevin and David were the chosen ones whereas circumstances get Kerry and Mike to chose the sport. It depicts the relationship they had with their parents and the precious brotherhood they shared. The highs and lows of their wrestling career, the drug addiction and the dark impact of it on them, as the elder brother Kevin witnesses it. A life full of tragedies doesn't mean life is nothing but tragedy and that is what the film tries to prove through Kevin and his life.

It definitely was an extremely emotional film and the whole brother sentiment hit me hard. It indeed was the core strength of this story. Irrespective of the cinematic liberties it has taken with the characters and the events, addition or omission, Sean Durkin perfectly captures the emotional moments. One could feel how helpless Kevin gets and he definitely tried his best, from the loyal son working hard to make his dad proud to the caring brother wanting the best for all his brothers. The wrestling including the Ric Flair segment compliments the film well and doesn't take the focus away from core plot. It indeed is an extremely sad story but it was worth it to sit through for that final scene of Kevin with his kids.