Foxcatcher Review

Foxcatcher.

Foxcatcher isn’t a film begging to be loved, its not a film putting everything out there and hoping for awards. It’s assured in it’s confidence of the story it’s telling.

Bennett Miller directs with a style that feels unique. The shots stay still and linger the cuts are quite clear this creates this slow atmosphere and there is little use of music and sound this presentation style creates a senses of unease throughout the film. The lack of dialogue contributes as well because these characters are characters who don’t discuss their emotions so more is said in the silences than the dialogue. The Shots are impeccably well designed and like paintings symbolize so much of the story. One shot for example sees Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) talking with his brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo) in a room that would appear like any over, there is a display of pictures behind them. The one picture that stands out however is that of John Du Point (Steve Carell) the character whose desire for control hangs throughout the entire film. Here Miller shows us how even when Du Point isn’t being discussed directly he hangs in the background and is the source of the problems these characters are facing. In a lesser film it would have been easy to have an on the nose discussion cutting back and forth between the two in which they discuss Du Point but here the film is so subtle is engages yes rather than assuming our stupidity and telling us everyone.

Mark Schultz is the films main focus when it opens we see a brief snapshot of his day and this snapshot gives us a sense of his life. We see him going to speak at a school but the shots of the children in the audience show us how Mark is not the best at communication, we see him queuing at a fast food place among a crowd of old men. At the end of the day we see him come home sit on his Sofa and pick up his portable games console, this small snapshot of him at home is one of the most telling moments of the film, ultimately is shows a man unusually large sitting down on his sofa staring at this little plastic box, its clear that Mark Schultz is a man who doesn’t really fit with the world around him. Soon Mark is called to meet with John Du Point, like Mark, Du Point is an unusual looking Man he’s short and chubby with this large lumpy nose soon Du Point sells Mark his dream of Americas future through wrestling. When looking at the cast list for Foxcatcher Carell’s name would stand out and visually he is nearly unrecognizable as Du Point. Immediately you may wonder why a comedy actor like Carell would be doing a mid level drama like this. In fact when watching the film its quite easier to see why he’s in the film, the role is interestingly similar to that of Michael Scott. Like Scott Du Point is a figure who feels ignored and is desperate for attention and love yet where Scott can be just about likeable and sweet, Du Point is nasty, disgusting and careless. The redemptive figure in the story is that of Dave Shultz the comparison between Dave and Mark is clear. When Mark is tightly strung and shy of speech Dave is charismatic and caring and is a father figure to many around him. The story for Foxcatcher comes from seeing the progression of these characters through various wrestling tournaments.

Whilst personally I love Foxcatcher, I find is gripping, smart and wonderfully subtle. This films cold edge is likely to be divisive with others. I don’t think thought the film cares about being liked its wonderfully bold and confident and proud of what it is. It knows that it is telling an important story with fascinating characters which acts as moral guidance on obsession and the power of the American dream.

4.5/5 Stars