Director Bennett Miller may not make a lot of movies, but when he does his films seem destined for attention. He only has four to his credit including the critically acclaimed “Capote” and “Moneyball”. His latest is “Foxcatcher” and it has already caught the attention of critics and won several prizes on the festival circuit. Miller seems drawn to a special type of biopic. “Capote”, “Moneyball”, and now “Foxcatcher” are biographical dramas about people or relationships that are outside of the normal box.
Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and David Schultz (Mark Ruffalo) are close-knit brothers who have each won Olympic gold medals in wrestling. Mark, who seems a bit slow, lives in his older brother’s shadow. There’s an early scene where Mark is giving a less than rousing speech at an elementary school. Afterwards we get an exchange between him and the school secretary revealing that it was actually David who they invited to speak. David is the only person in Mark’s otherwise rudderless life.
Enter Steve Carrell as millionaire and wrestling enthusiast John du Pont. Carrell is almost unrecognizable in his facial prosthetics and awkward mannerisms. Du Pont invites Mark to join his Foxcatcher amateur wrestling team where he will coach and train for the Olympics. He will receive a big salary and his own lavish home on du Pont’s humongous estate. David declines to go with him, but he encourages Mark to go, believing it could be a really good thing for him. Mark joins Team Foxcatcher and over time develops a close relationship with du Pont.
A big chunk of the film focuses on the relationship between Mark and du Pont. Mark finally finds a place where he feels needed and important. He begins to see du Pont as a loving and caring father figure. On the other hand du Pont’s actions and motivations always seem a bit dubious. There is a disingenuous and self-serving air that follows him and at times Mark seems to be his personal and emotional experiment. Du Pont often manipulates and toys with the fragile-minded Mark.
The story shifts a bit after du Point turns on Mark and embarrasses him in front of other wrestlers. Du Pont then seeks out David and convinces him to join Team Foxcatcher which causes Mark to distance himself even more. The rest of the movie centers around the various conflicts between these three personalities – the butting of heads, the frustrations, the lack of trust. Miller presents the unfolding drama slowly and methodically and for the most part it works. The narrative is driven by these three characters and its easy to get caught up in this odd twisted story.
And since the film is driven by these three key characters, good performances are a necessity. We certainly get that. Carrell shows an entire new side and a diversity that he has hinted at in the past. Ruffalo has become one of Hollywood’s steadiest actors. Here he gives the most grounded performance of the three. But the big surprise for me was Channing Tatum. I know the guy has a huge following, but I have yet to be convinced that he is a good actor. Well, that was until now. He does great work handling a complex and pivotal character.
“Foxcatcher” isn’t a perfect movie but it’s a very good one. There are a couple of slow patches and the film doesn’t completely stick the ending. At the same time the story is always compelling and watching Carrell, Tatum, and Ruffalo engage this material is a treat. “Foxcatcher” has given Bennett Miller yet another chance to define himself as a filmmaker. This is a movie that definitely fits within his comfort zone and I just wonder what strange and unusual true story Miller is going to tell us next.
Keith & the Movies 
A very hard movie to watch, or even recommend for that matter. However, it features some of the best performances of the past year. Good review Keith.
Thanks man. It seems like the further the movie goes the more depressing it is. It all comes down to the characters and the performances are so good.
4 stars is fair. I mean, it crawls forward at an almost unbearable pace, but there’s no question it holds your attention throughout…and it’s extremely unsettling, in most part due to the fine performances. Excellent review, my friend :).
Thanks so much man. It is quite uncomfortable and unsettling. And you are so right, the performances drive everything. Carrell and Tatum really, really surprised me.
I am not a fan of Carrell, but I do enjoy Tatum and Ruffalo, and I have been looking forward to this. Seems that it is good, despite being flawed. Great review Keith!
Thanks Zoe. It’s definitely worth seeing. I can take or leave Carrell, but he is very good here. Definitely something new for him. Tatum actually showed me something. I haven’t been as impressed with him as many have, at least until now.
I really enjoyed this…certainly as good as anything else I’ve seen recently. I saw it a couple of nights ago and it has stayed with me – I think Miller does a great job in establishing a certain atmosphere early on and sticking with it to the very last. I totally share your appreciation for Tatum here; I thought the three leads were all excellent. Carell’s performance ticks a lot of boxes (a comic doing a serious role, a mentally unstable and unpredictable character, prosthetic feature, etc.) that make it stand out but I was just as impressed by the other two. Some beautiful cinematography too.
There’s definitely a deliberately cold atmosphere through the entire thing. Even the color palette conveys it. For me the three leads were the bread and butter. All three are great giving three very different performances.
Fine review, man. I’m hoping to catch this one soon. Like you, I’m not Tatum’s biggest fan but I always enjoy Ruffalo and I’m intrigued by Carell doing some serious work. I have high hopes after really liking Capote and Moneyball.
Thanks man. While Foxcatcher feels different than Miller’s other films, you can’t help but see some creative similarities to Capote and Moneyball. That’s a good thing. It’s not a perfect movie but it’s compelling stuff and watching the three lead performances is a treat. Hopefully you will get to check it out soon.
Hey Keith! It’s not perfect and it’s relentlessly bleak. I’d say it’s only worth the nominations for the performance of Carell and Ruffalo, which they did get. But Miller as Best Director over Fincher?? Now that’s the real head scratcher.
I liked the movie but it really is about the characters and the performances. It has some flaws and I think it has a pretty clunky ending. Really not sure about all of the Oscar love it has received.
Excellent review, really want to see this film.
Thanks so much. I think it finally got a wider release today. Hope you get a chance to catch up with it.
Haven’t seen this one yet but I will try to fit it in over the weekend. Looking forward to it. I enjoy Miller’s work and the unique grasp he has of his medium. Glad Carell landed that nom. Great write up!
Thanks! I think Foxcatcher finally is getting a wider release this weekend. It’s crazy how long it has taken them to get it in theaters.
I’ll be checking my local indie theater. Hope they pick it up.
I think you will have good luck finding it. Here it’s showing at a couple of the big multiplexes as well.
Spot on review mate. A movie this slow would usually struggle to hold my attention but I was absolutely captivated by this. Amazing performances.
Thanks man. Great to hear from you. I’m anxious to see it again. The performances are what really blew me away.
I actually enjoyed Foxcatcher much more than I anticipated. The performances are excellent! It is a bit slow-moving, but I feel like it works for the film. Great review, Keith!
Thanks. It was quite good and I think the performances are a real strength. I haven’t been a big Channing Tatum fan but he really surprised me here.
I don’t think Tatum’s done much worth mentioning, but it’s nice to see him try something else out. I do think he’s a good actor who hasn’t gotten many great opportunities up until now. Perhaps Foxcatcher will open doors for him to play more interesting characters.
I hope you’re right. I have to say the trailers for Jupiter Ascending more closely resembles his past work than his good work in Foxcatcher
Not to mention, I just saw the trailer for the second Magic Mike. Just when I start to actually like Tatum, he decides to go make projects like that . . . ugh.