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
4.5/5 Stars
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