2014 | Dir. Bennett Miller | 134 Minutes
"Coach is a father. Coach is a mentor. Coach has great power, great import on an athlete's life."
Based on the events that transpired around eccentric American multimillionaire and Olympic wrestling coach John du Pont's assembly of a wrestling team to compete in 1988 Summer Olympics, Foxcatcher is primarily centered on du Pont's relationship with 1984 Olympic champion Mark Schultz. The film explores du Pont's manipulation of Schultz to win his friendship, admiration, and to ultimately take control of the young wrestler's career. In direct opposition to du Pont, is Mark Schultz's brother and fellow 1984 Olympic champion Dave.
Named for the du Pont training camp at Foxcatcher Farm, the film depicts the estate as a decadent but dreary place. Director Bennett Miller layers this darkness over the entire film, imbuing the picture with a deeply foreboding atmosphere.
Steve Carell, famous for his comedic roles, shows off his dramatic skills as du Pont. Playing the deeply troubled man, Carrell is controlled, incredibly unsettling but undeniable captivating. The prosthetics, odd speech patterns and inflections are distracting for about a minute before Carell takes complete ownership over the complex role, making a full transformation into the mentally unstable man. Carell is at his most effective when delivering empty glances and brief verbal responses whenever du Pont is met with any situation he finds disagreeable.
Adding another notable performance to his versatile body of work, Channing Tatum is solid as the frustrated and naive Mark Schultz. Beginning the film as a prideful young man of limited means, living in the shadow of his older brother's success, and gradually succumbing to the daunting influence and manipulation of du Pont, Tatum successfully brings both incredible strength and incredible vulnerability to the role.
Playing the other guiding force in Mark Schulz's life, his older brother Dave, Mark Ruffalo is at his best when the film calls for Dave to support his brother and openly defy du Pont. In one notable scene showcasing Ruffalo's performance, Dave is asked by a documentary filmmaker to speak highly of du Pont's influence on his own wrestling career and Dave could not bring himself to say the words with any measure of sincerity.
A taught drama driven by amazing performances, most notably from Carrell, Foxcatcher is a sharp counterpoint to the myriad inspirational Hollywood sports films.
FRAGMENTS
- John du Pont was buried in his Foxcatcher wrestling singlet in accordance with his will (CNN)
- Here's hoping Steve Carell gets more quality dramatic work like this
- Curious to me that Mark Ruffalo was nominated for an Oscar for his work in this film (though he was good) but not Channing Tatum (who nailed a much more challenging role)
MCU CONNECTIONS
- Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner in The Avengers, Iron Man 3, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings)
