See It at the Movies

FOXCATCHER

with Joyce & Don Fowler
Posted 12/23/14

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(Psychological drama based on John du Pont)

“Foxcatcher” is based on the true story of the wealthy John du Pont and his quest to coach a world-class wrestling team back in the late …

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See It at the Movies

FOXCATCHER

Posted

* * * *

(Psychological drama based on John du Pont)

“Foxcatcher” is based on the true story of the wealthy John du Pont and his quest to coach a world-class wrestling team back in the late 1900s.

The two and a quarter-hour movie progresses slowly before hitting you with a shocking conclusion. It made international headlines over 20 years ago. Because you, like us, may not remember the true story, we won’t spoil it for you.

Du Pont recruits Olympic champion Mark Schultz to lead his team in training, and they develop a very strange relationship. When the psychologically perverted man finally convinces Mark’s older brother, Dave, to tale over coaching duties, relationships change dramatically.

Steve Carell gives a brilliant performance as du Pont, always coming across as looking down on every person he meets. With his large nose, he literally appears to be looking down. The makeup job is so good you may not even recognize him.

Channing Tatum plays Mark Schultz as a brooding, lonely, angry young man who has always lived in the shadow of his brother. Brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo) is the only one of the trio who seems to have any common sense.

The relationships among the three characters is complex, at times volatile and complicated enough to fill an advanced psychology course.

Watching the subtleties in Carell’s performance is worth the price of admission. He knows that his wealth will buy him anything and anyone he wants. He is manipulative, greedy, obsessed and in control. He has some serious issues with his mother (Vanessa Redgrave), who looks down on his desire to get involved with lowlife athletes when he should be going off on fox hunts at their posh Pennsylvania estate.

Tatum does what he does best: pouting and breaking things. His wrestling scenes are very realistic, as he really looks like an athlete.

“Foxcatcher” is a very different kind of film, one that leaves you fascinated, if sometimes repelled, by the characters, especially du Pont. Carell has him down pat.

Rated R, with some very intense moments, plus drug use.

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