FOXCATCHER MOVIE REVIEW

Bennett Miller's take on the true life crimes of eccentric millionaire John E. du Pont involving Olympic champion wrestlers Mark and Dave Schultz is a haunting film carried primarily by its stellar performances. The film has already received several Academy Award nominations and is touted as one of the best dramas of 2014. A strong film in cinematography and pace, it delivers a tense narration of unfortunate real-life tragedies, but for those who are aware of the real-life story, the film leaves a bit too much to interpretation.

 

Set in the late 1980s Foxcatcher chronicles the complicated wrestling careers of Mark and Dave Schultz, brothers and gold-medal Olympians, who are generally forgotten by society shortly after bringing home their honors. Older brother Dave soon finds a comfortable coaching position while Mark, forever labeled as being overshadowed by his sibling, is portrayed as struggling emotionally as he trains for the upcoming World Wrestling Championships, until the day he receives an unexpected invite to the "Foxcatcher" estate in Pennsylvania, on the simple premise that the heir to the massive du Pont family fortune would like to meet him. The middle-aged John "Eagle" du Pont, a clear eccentric who is obsessed with the Schultz brothers, is set on building his own "Foxcatcher" wrestling team and becoming the primary financier of the US Olympic team. Mark, drawn to the chance to lead as opposed to following his brother like in the past, takes up du Pont's strange invitation and flourishes, but soon succumbs to du Pont's additional invitation to recreational drugs. 

 

Miller's adaptation of the famous crime story is gripping to say the least. Strong cinematography and murky color tones bring the disturbing story to life, but the film warrants a watch almost solely for Steve Carrell and Mark Ruffalo's performances. Carrell is practically unrecognizable; known primarily for his comedic roles both on US television and in mainstream Hollywood. Foxcatcher brings out the true dramatist in the American household name, whose portrayal of du Pont dominates practically every scene. Decked out in prosthetics, Carrell strikes audiences with subtle creepiness and holds your undivided attention as he plays a sick man who somehow also manages to warrant your pity. Ruffalo as older brother Dave is also a revelation, and together with Channing Tatum, as vulnerable Mark Schultz, the entire cast is at their performing best. 

 

Academy-award nominated Miller, whose filmography includes Moneyball and Capote has done a great job at piecing together a dark and subtle look at psychopathy and human relationships in the world of wrestling, but the screenplay, written by E. Max Frye and David Futterman may fail to entertain those further educated on the famous real-life scandal. Written based on Mark Schultz's autobiography, the film could be seen as oversimplifying the crimes of du Pont and only subtly implying how horrific an impact he had on both the Schultz brothers as well as other athletes he sponsored at the time. 

 

Overall the film is an actor's feast, and should satisfy those audiences appreciative of solid performances by some of American Hollywood's finest leading men of the moment.