Hollywood has always had a fixation on biopics, and 2014 was no exception. “The Imitation Game” (about WWII code-breaker Alan Turing) and “The Theory of Everything” (about theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking) are both Oscar front-runners, for Best Picture, among other awards. But the lesser known subjects of “Foxcatcher” – gold-medal-winning Olympic wrestlers Mark and Dave Schultz and benefactor and coach John E. du Pont – provide a chilling, captivating tale of their own, one equally worthy of Academy Award consideration.
The opening scene, in which Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) practices alone in an empty gym, sets the tone quickly. As Mark goes through various solo drills, the lack of background noise is jarring. The alternating heavy breathing and smacking of the freestyle dummy on the matted floor create an auricular dominance that rarely occurs sans music. When his brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo) later joins him, the intensity crescendos, from embrace to sparring session to bloody nose, all still without the presence of any music that might guide the feelings of the audience. This lack of emotion-setting music is fascinating and continues throughout the film.
Mark is contacted by the wealthy du Pont (Steve Carell, in a career-redefining role), who extends an offer to finance Mark’s bids for the 1987 World Wrestling Championships and the 1988 Summer Olympics. Du Pont also wants Dave to coach at the Foxcatcher facilities, but Dave declines so as not to uproot his family. This gives Mark the opportunity to, at first, step out from behind his older brother’s shadow and make a name for himself.
Mark’s relationship with the troubled du Pont is one of the greatest focuses of the film. Carell’s portrayal of du Pont, complete with prosthetic nose and soft, often emotionless voice, is gripping. Carell, known best for his role as Michael Scott on the U.S. version of “The Office,” is truly transformative as the disturbed du Pont, a man who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals of restoring American patriotism and increasing the appeal of wrestling on the international stage.
“Foxcatcher” follows Mark’s decent into addiction and self-harm, often as a result of his relationship with du Pont. There is a scene where the two take a helicopter ride to an awards banquet, and du Pont talks Mark into ingesting cocaine and forces him to memorize a speech – “Ornithologist, philatelist, philanthropist. Again.” – in which Mark describes du Pont as being like a father to him. The speech, written by du Pont, is one of many examples of his erratic, megalomanic behavior.
Du Pont’s obsession with wrestling, winning and impressing his oft-disappointed mother (Vanessa Redgrave) leads the film down an increasingly dark path, one that ends abruptly and in shocking fashion (no spoilers).
In addition to Carell’s stunning portrayal of du Pont, “Foxcatcher” features strong performances from both Tatum and Ruffalo, the latter of whom truly excels in his role as a supportive older brother, caretaker and mentor.
Regardless of any nominations from the Academy, “Foxcatcher” has proven to be a film worth seeing, with top-notch directing from Bennett Miller (“Moneyball”), who was named Best Director at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival for his work.
“Foxcatcher” is one of the few can’t-miss films of 2014.
