Foxcatcher

In the atmospheric, understated film Foxcatcher (2014), director Bennett Miller builds on the moody restraint he displayed in Capote (2005) and Moneyball (2011) to deliver an expertly crafted drama that transcends the sports genre, reaching into the hearts of its characters to explore ideas of self-worth, ambition, and the pernicious influence of wealth. The film's screenplay, penned by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman, is inspired by the real-life story of Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz and the tragic events at the estate named Foxcatcher.

Channing Tatum delivers a career-defining performance as Mark Schultz, an Olympic Gold medal-winning wrestler who is living in the shadow of his older brother, Dave, brilliantly played by Mark Ruffalo. Whilst his brother enjoys a contented domestic life and commands respect within the wrestling community, the introverted Mark finds himself adrift, living a solitary existence and yearning for recognition outside his sport.

The duo's professional and personal dynamic is disrupted by the introduction of the eccentric millionaire John du Pont, portrayed by Steve Carell in a transformative performance that sets aside his comedic roots. Du Pont recruits Mark for his wrestling team at Foxcatcher Farm, promising the financial support and mentorship that he believes will make him the best in the world. What unfolds is a harrowing tale of manipulation, misplaced loyalty, and misguided notions of American exceptionalism.

Throughout the film, Miller displays a keen understanding of wrestling and utilizes it as a setting rather than the focal point. The wrestling scenes are shot with an authenticity, skill, and respect for the craft that speaks to the dedication and discipline the sport requires. But the film uses the wrestling mat as a stage for the broader themes of ambition, power, manipulation, and betrayal.

Steve Carell's portrayal of du Pont is nothing short of extraordinary. Hidden beneath prosthetics, Carell embodies the lonely, emotionally immature heir of one of America's oldest fortunes. His du Pont emerges as a man crippled by the weight of his mother's expectations, desperately seeking her approval and validation through success in the wrestling world.

Tatum’s performance as Mark Schultz is equally potent. He embodies the physicality required for the role, while also showing a vulnerable, damaged man yearning for a father figure and validation of his worth. Ruffalo, always a reliable performer, brings warmth and dignity to Dave Schultz, a man caught in an impossible situation.

The cinematography by Greig Fraser is also a star in Foxcatcher. His shots are thought-provoking and imposing, with a deliberate muted color palette that reflects the emotional bleakness of the characters' circumstances. The wrestling scenes are strenuous, tactile, grimly haptic, reflecting Fraser's use of a grounded, near-documentary style that underscores the film's sober narrative.

The psychological tension throughout Foxcatcher is as palpable as it is chilling. The sense of creeping unease is further heightened by Rob Simonsen's haunting score. There’s a sense of inevitability that permeates the film, as though the characters are trapped in a suffocating nightmare from which they cannot escape.

Foxcatcher offers a dark, sobering account of masculinity, the fallacies of the American Dream, the corrupting influence of wealth, the primal drive for paternal approval, and the ultimate price of self-betrayal. It’s a film that unfolds with the inevitability of Greek tragedy, where the protagonists suffer due to the flaws in their nature and circumstances beyond their control.

Whether audience members are fans of wrestling is irrelevant, as Foxcatcher transcends its milieu to explore the human psyche's darkest corners in a way that is both compelling and distressing. It's a masterclass in restrained filmmaking, riveting character studies, and genuine storytelling. Brace yourselves for a profoundly unsettling story that challenges, exposes, and ultimately leaves you thinking long after the credits roll. Foxcatcher, with its exceptional performances and potent storytelling, is a film not to be missed.