Thursday, February 5, 2015

Movie Review Madness: Foxcatcher


Foxcatcher tells the true story of the Schultz brothers – Mark and David – Olympic wrestlers and their life changing involvement with John du Pont (of DuPont fortune). We meet Mark (a superb Channing Tatum) and older brother David (Oscar nominated Mark Ruffalo) as they train in a rundown dimly lit wrestling arena. Mark’s life is training, training, training – then go home to watch tv, eat, and sleep in a barren apartment. It looks like a meager bleak existence. David is married with two kids and a sunnier outlook. One phone call changes the whole dynamic.  

Mark is helicoptered to the John du Pont estate outside of Valley Forge, PA. There he meets the eccentric man who fancies himself a philanthropist, sports enthusiast, and benefactor. He’s created a state-of-the-art wrestle training center and wants to help Mark and others train for  the Seoul Olympics under his “Foxcatcher” team name. He offers a guest house for living, food, drink, and a glimpse into the world of the rich. There’s also a dark side of drugs and partying.  

John du Pont is played by Steve Carell. You would not recognize him and he’s very worthy of his Oscar nomination. He’s eerie in his eccentricity, temper, possessiveness, jealousy, and bizarre sense of entitlement. He acts as if he owns Mark, and he wants David too. David resists but sees that Mark’s in trouble. David ultimately comes to help Mark, and he gets drawn into the payroll and du Pont circle. But he does not completely drink the Kool-aid, and this drives John nuts. Let’s just say – John with a gun in hand signals the end of the ride.  

Foxcatcher is a very good movie. It’s a tad long and I would have edited it down. However, the acting is fantastic and this insight into a murder story is chilling. Money does not bring happiness, and we see not only physical wrestling, but wrestling with demons brought to the big screen.

 

9 comments:

  1. OMG! Just say the magic words and I'm sold. Channing Tatum!

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    1. this isn't super sexy Channing - this is serious ACTOR channing - still a winner

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  2. I did some content on the radio about how somehow, just Channing on his own, starting at the camera is enough to sell any movie.

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    1. he stares a lot - very serious role. Yes he's in wrestling outfits, but I don't find them sexy.

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  3. I haven't heard of this one. Sounds interesting! Sounds like a very different role for Steve Carell.

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  4. Thanks, Daisy! I hadn't heard of this one before, either. It does sound good, though, except for that "tad long." Remember the good old days when most movies lasted for just under an hour and a half...?

    Happy weekend, kiddo!

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  5. For me the performances are the driving force. I really liked the story and found myself completely wrapped up in it.

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  6. Though I agree that the acting was great, I thought the movie dragged too much. I was also disappointed that they never mentioned how du pont was divorced, and how his ex-wife feared for her life, as well as a few other tidbits that better explained his character.

    Julie

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