Movie Review: Foxcatcher

Dylan Haviland – General Assignment Reporter 

Wrestling a sport dating back thousands of years is a pivotal and emotional battle between two competitors.  A six-minute match that an athlete pours their soul and training into, it is there on the mat that Dave and his younger brother Mark Schultz won the 1984 Olympic gold medal in wrestling–signifying the brother’s bond as teammates and family.

“Foxcatcher” is a heart wrenching film telling the true story of the two outstanding athletes and the introduction of John Du Pont, a member of the illustrious Du Pont chemical who ultimately tore the family apart in.

Directed by Bennett Miller, “Foxcatcher” is a drama film that begins with the story of Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) seeking to reach out of his brother Dave’s (Mark Ruffalo) shadow.

Mark’s dreams are suddenly realized when seemingly out of the blue, multi million John Du Pont (Steve Carell): an Ornithologist, Philatelist, and Philanthropist as Du Pont later states, offers to sponsor the United States wrestling team, placing Mark with selecting the team.

Mark is soon living the life he has strived for, working with fellow Olympic wrestlers on the isolated Du Pont estate, while growing a strong relationship with John.  It soon becomes clear though that the eccentric millionaire has a dark side, slowly revealing a twisted personality from a sheltered and lonely life. John Du Pont’s strange and demeaning influence slowly encompasses Mark as time progresses on the estate.

A series of events eventually brings Dave to meet John Du Pont where three different and unique minds clash against each other.

Foxcatcher does not exceed as a joyful film, the cinematic experience of the piece leaves a sense of disparity and gloom towards the fate of the characters. The scenery while offering a beautiful view of the American countryside, is shrouded in mist and sense of darkness. It is in the emotional chaos and unraveling of the film that the cast truly shines.

The main actors of the film: Tatum, Carell and Ruffalo define their talent and capabilities as serious actors.  Carell and Ruffalo themselves have been nominated for Oscars in leading and supporting roles.

Carell gives an outstanding performance outside of the usual persona of the comedic whiz.  His transformation into the mysterious John Du Pont is mesmerizing experience.

To even scratch the surface on his performance as John Du Pont, Carell underwent a complete physical change. The actor gives viewers a realistic glimpse of the millionaire, sporting a startlingly realistic prosthetic nose and a strange positioning with his jaw.

His emotional display of John Du Pont helps audiences see the disturbed man that become a mentor to Mark in the film and real life.  Carell’s uncomfortable laughs leave chills as his character’s unforgiving stare look right back into the audience.

Ruffalo on the other hand plays an amazingly genuine and heartfelt role as Mark’s nurturing older brother.  Ruffalo shines as Dave Schultz on the same levels as Carell, the actor himself looks remarkably like the wrestler, even possessing a posture and walk during the film that may have been familiar to Dave.

His care for Mark throughout the film represents “Foxcatcher” ability to show the hope in humanity in a dark world.  While the issues of the movie are complex and the motives of the characters are often unclear, Ruffalo’s portrayal show audiences what truly matters: family and compassion.

Overall, “Foxcatcher” as a film explores people’s struggle with coming to terms with themselves and their disposition. The minds of the characters search and try to achieve who they believe they should be in the world.

Photo Credit: Global Panorama