Director: Bennett Miller

Starring: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum & Mark Ruffalo

Running Time: 134 mins

Release date: 14 Nov, 2014 (Limited)

Worldwide Gross: $270,877

 

 

 

 

Basic Plot:

 

It’s 1987, 3 years after the Los Angeles Olympics, where Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) won the gold medal in wrestling. Mark is bemused and defeated by the lack of recognition he gets from his fellow Americans and lives a very meagre life. He trains with his only companion, his brother David (Mark Ruffalo) and is preparing himself for the World Championships in France. Out of nowhere, Mark receives a call from John du Pont’s (Steve Carell) estate offering him the chance to train with du Pont, a wealthy wrestling coach, and to live on his estate. Mark wants David to join him, but David doesn’t want to uproot his family. Mark goes to stay at the du Pont estate and becomes very close with the bizarre John du Pont. The du Pont’s are one of the richest families in the US and John is the next in line to inherit the family’s fortunes. As Mark and du Pont’s friendship becomes increasingly unhealthy, du Pont requests again that David must come and work as a coach on the team. He insists and offers David a deal that is impossible to refuse. David brings his family to the du Pont estate, but Mark is suffering with his confidence in himself, and du Pont. The three become a complicated trio and the build up to the Seoul Olympics in 1988 is an intense and difficult time, all leading to the ultimate final scenes.

 

Clock Watching? 18/20

 

Foxcatcher is a fascinating account of the true story of Mark Schultz, David Schultz, John du Pont and Team Foxcatcher. The film is dark and intense and keeps the audience in suspense throughout the whole film. There are maybe a few moments where the pace of the film could have been more fluid, but as you come to the end you realise this is a purposeful intention to keep the audience guessing.

 

Oscar Performances? 20/20

 

These have to be some of the best performances of the year! Steve Carell is outstanding as the bizarre and spoilt John du Pont and will surely be noticed by the upcoming award nominations. This is Carell’s transition into a serious actor and he takes it onboard with such aplomb that is difficult to think of him in films such as The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005). This is followed by superb performances by Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo, who manage to take on more than the intriguing characters they play by contorting their bodies into the character’s form.  The film is dependent on these performances and without them it would not be the movie it is.

 

Camera, Lights, Direction? 19/20

 

As well as the reliance on the performances of Carell, Tatum and Ruffalo, the film would not have been successful if it wasn’t Bennett Miller behind the camera. The film is directed with such quality and attention to detail that it allows the three actors to perform to such a high standard. It is Miller’s direction too that creates this suspenseful and atmospheric quality that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Miller also deserves a nod from the awards panels, as this is a true display of his understanding of movie making.

 

Tell a Friend? 16/20

 

I will be telling everyone that I know who appreciates excellent filmmaking! This may not be everyone’s cup of tea, as it does have a slow pace at times, but for those who understand the act of filmmaking, this is a must see. This is a filmmakers’ film and will be one that is talked about more in a couple of years.

 

Again? 19/20

 

This is a must! Not dissimilar to a David Fincher film, Foxcatcher requires multiple viewings, as there is so much detail and characterisation that it will be interesting to revisit this after a period of time. I for one will be buying this on Blu-ray.

 

Total: 92%

 

A fascinating film filled with wonderful performances and directed by a truly great filmmaker.

 

by Russell Farnham