Share on Tumblr   Tweet
      Add to Delicious  


With his previous film, the critically-lauded Moneyball, director Bennett Miller brought us the inspirational true story Billy Beane, the former pro ballplayer whose novel approach to management revolutionized the sport. And for his followup, Miller returns to the sports arena — only this time, the results are markedly darker. Drawing from the true-crime genre of his debut feature, Capote, Foxcatcher is a brooding drama that focuses on Olympic wrestlers Dave and Mark Schultz, their twisted relationship with billionaire John du Pont and the sudden act of violence that would see their names forever intertwined.



Enter John du Pont (Steve Carell), self-proclaimed patriot, military enthusiast and heir to the du Pont fortune. His family's sprawling Pennsylvania estate, Foxcatcher Farm, has had a long-standing reputation for breeding champion thoroughbreds; but John is intent on using it to breed Olympic champions instead. Having built a state-of-the-art training facility on its grounds, he summons Mark there to present him with an irresistible proposition: he will provide Mark with the financial sponsorship he so desperately needs, if, in turn, Mark will work with him to forge the next gold-winning American Olympic wrestling team, by helping to recruit and train other dedicated athletes.

Thinking he's finally found his golden ticket, Mark is quick to pack up and join "Team Foxcatcher". Dave, however, is increasingly skeptical of John's underlying motivations. And rightfully so: for neither of them realize just how dangerous and deluded Mark's new benefactor truly is — that this "leader or men", as John refers to himself as, is as sociopathic as he is patriotic, and that there's no telling what he's capable of.

The film's story spans nearly a decade, from 1987 to 1996, culminating in the senseless tragedy that sent shockwaves rippling through the nation. But even if you're already familiar with the real-life account, nothing can prepare you for how it unfolds on-screen.

Just as Moneyball wasn't just about the sport of baseball per say, viewers should know that this isn't your conventional sports drama. In fact, it's the furthest thing from. Instead, Foxcatcher is all about the intensity and the emotions that drive Mark, Dave and John. To this end, Miller keeps the narrative sparse — with many a scene that simply lingers on characters' expressions — zeroing in on the more introspective moments of the story and winding the human drama tightly around the three lead performances. Of course, when things snap, the results are explosive.

Ruffalo's quietly understated portrayal grounds the film, but even though he's the most consummate dramatic actor of the three, it's Tatum and Carell — two actors better known for their comedic roles — whose performances will leave audiences slack-jawed. Juxtapositioning childlike naivety with volatile rage, this is unquestionably Tatum's most emotionally vulnerable role to date; while Carell's turn as a man unhinged, emotionally-stunted and utterly lacking in empathy will chill moviegoers to their bones. In addition, all three actors wear facial prosthetics to bring their appearances more in-line with their namesakes; and while it's initially jarring, it's a testament to the caliber of their talent that you barely notice it after a while.








Follow @benmkwrites