There is nothing quite as inspiring, uplifting, or compelling as a sports movie. And when it happens to be a true story, conveyed via masterful storytelling, and celebrated actors getting deep into character? Forget about it. We’re head over heels. Why are we so into this genre at the moment? Well, The Iron Claw is out now, and it’s a perfect example of the genre. This tragic, critically acclaimed feature about the ill-fated Von Erich family, has all the hallmarks of a truly great biographical sports movie. So if, like us, you’re in the mood for more of this brilliant genre, we thought we’d take a look at the greats.
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The Iron Claw
Let’s start at the beginning. The Iron Claw is, without a doubt, one of the greatest sports biopics ever made. Period. Hell, it’s one of the single most important cultural artefacts made about professional wrestling, a sport much maligned because… well, look, it can seem a little goofy from the outside. But as The Iron Claw shows, pro-wrestling is a high-octane, incredibly dangerous live form of entertainment which draws in fans of all ages. Perhaps that’s why the film hits as hard emotionally as the events within hit the Von Erich clan themselves - the Von Erich boys were raised by a domineering father to adore the world of wrestling, and to keep on entertaining, even if it killed them.The performances are part of what makes The Iron Claw such a sizzling, gut-wrenching piece of true-storytelling - Zac Efron gives a career-best turn as Kevin Von Erich, Jeremy Allen White absolutely nails Kevin’s brother, Kerry. And Lily James gives a heart-wrenching turn as Pam Adkisson, too. And as with all the truly great biographical sports films, it doesn’t matter whether or not you’re versed in wrestling - this isn’t about wrestling. Not really. It’s about people. The Iron Claw is wonderfully deceptive; you’ll go in expecting a macho film about wrestling, and walk away having learned about the intricacies of the human condition.
Ferrari
As long as we’re talking about performers who bring true stories roaring to life, we can’t go past the singular talents of Adam Driver. Driver has spent years honing his craft, ping-ponging between genres. But he’s always displayed a performative panache for big, eccentric characters; people who loom larger than life, people who dominate the fields they’re in. Enter Enzo Ferrari. Just for a bit of context, back in 1991, decorated motosports journalist Brock Yates wrote Enzo Ferrari: The Man, the Cars, the Races, the Machine, a book which revealed the fascinating details of a period of Enzo’s life most people didn’t know about in great detail: namely, the moment when he almost lost it all. Michael Mann (Heat, Ali, Collateral) has taken the book and turned out a truly iconic film.Ferrari is a fantastic story. Set in the summer of 1957, it follows Enzo Ferrari and his estranged wife, Laura Ferrari (Penélope Cruz) as they contend with the threat of looming bankruptcy. How does the single most famous figure in motorsports aim to get back in the game? Simple: by betting everything he has. He enters his racing team in the perilous Mille Miglia, an open road, endurance-based race which goes for a gruelling one thousand miles. It’s thrilling stuff, people.
I, Tonya
We’re just going to come out and say it, folks. Margot Robbie is the greatest actor of her generation. Sure, she’s one of ours, so we’re more than a little biased. But she’s never been afraid to take wild swings - she’s our absolute favourite DC supervillain - who can ignore her electrifying and repeated turns as Harley Quinn? And she’s Barbie, for god’s sake! You have to be someone pretty special to take Barbie and make her so profoundly human. But I, Tonya is the role which made the world sit up and finally take notice of Margot.As with all great sports movies, truth is stranger than fiction. Tonya Harding (Robbie) became the very first American woman to complete the frighteningly difficult triple axel during a competition, and from there, she began her climb towards greatness. She was, however, torn between her frightening, overbearing mother (Allison Janney) and her new husband, Jeff Gillooly (Sebastian Stan). As stress, mania and pressure mounted, Tonya did something truly staggering. She attacked her greatest competition… with a hammer.
King Richard
I, Tonya was a case study in just how pivotal the people around the athlete can be - the support network keeping a great player on track can make or break them. But whilst Tonya Harding’s mother wore her down, King Richard is proof that the opposite can lead to history-defying moments. It tells the stunning true story of Richard Williams - Will Smith, in one of his best ever roles, and the one that won him an Oscar for Best Actor. Richard has a 78-page plan he’s written up; one that he knows (or hopes) will turn his daughters, Venus and Serena Williams, into tennis greats.Training rain, hail or shine on the dilapidated courts of Compton, Richard and the girls continue throwing themselves at the wall until one day, Richard takes the girls to see coach Paul Cohen. Cohen is a little busy - he’s working with none other than John McEnroe and Pete Sampras, but he immediately sees what the Richards trio have going for them. Their journey sees them flung from coach to coach, from game to game, all the while contending with the rigours of family - working under a man with a vision like Richard’s is many things, but it isn’t easy. King Richard is a fascinating entry into the pantheon of biographical sporting films, in that it follows the father of two greats, allowing the story to dive into his motivations. It’s also a frankly inspiring look at the Williams sisters - and who doesn't love the Williams sisters?
So there you have it. Four must-see biographical sports films, guaranteed to expand your worldview and give you all the feels, too.