Foxcatcher Review

Foxcatcher Review

What I'm about to say should speak very highly of this film. Whenever I watch Goodfellas right before anything, that anything that comes after seems really awful in comparison. I watched Foxcatcher a few days ago after showing by brother Goodfellas for the first time. In hindsight, I should probably never do that again for any film, but Foxcatcher still managed to be one of my favorite films of last year despite having a handicap that I placed on it. 

Foxcatcher is a film based on the true story of Olympic wrestling champion brothers Mark and Dave Schultz, and a man named John du Pont. John du Pont is a extremely wealthy wrestling fanatic, he invites at first just Mark, then later Dave to his massive property to train for the Olympics. The film is really not about wrestling, instead it more focuses on the relationships between these three characters as they get to know each other more. And it is really intriguing to watch as the characters interact and actually get to know each other more. It starts off as a very good and helpful relationship, but quickly problems arise until serious trust issues start to occur. 

Foxcatcher has so much going for it. The biggest negative I've heard people talk about is how slow it is. But, it's really not that slow when you start to try to connect to the characters. Every scene is important to the film and either explains or shows something new about the characters (usually shows). But you have to pay attention to the little subtle things in the scenes between the characters, it can explain a lot more, and it's where you can start to connect to the characters, particularly Mark. That's one great thing about this film, it doesn't explain the feelings. Lots of films do that to no end now, but Foxcatcher lets you see their feelings, but it doesn't always (in fact rarely) explain them. 

Let's talk about the acting. Well from Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, and Mark Ruffalo I've never seen better. Both Carell and Ruffalo were nominated for Oscars for their performances but it's a really big shame that the academy overlooked Channing Tatum. I don't think the academy is ready to look at him as a serious actor yet, it doesn't help that he does things like Jupiter Ascending right after this but he really gives a performance like none he's ever given in Foxcatcher just the same. He's very big, quite silent, and almost nervous throughout the entire film. You can sense he's got a lot of anger built up in his life over the years, but the film doesn't explain where it comes from. Tatum gives his career best in this intense and amazing job as Mark Schultz. 

Dave Schultz (played by Mark Ruffalo) on the other hand is a more talkative and reasonable man, that cares for his family and is a real human being. He's very charismatic and works well with people. You probably know someone just like him in real life, always questioning and looking out for close ones. This is also Mark Ruffalo's best performance, it's even then one of my all time favorites, Zodiac.

Now the titan, Steve Carell. Oh my God, he is just mesmerizing. I've grown up watching him in things like Anchorman and 40 Year Old Virgin and things of that sort, I would have never thought he could do something like this. John du Pont is one of, if not the best character of last year, and it's all thanks to Steve Carell's work. Honestly I hope Steve Carell continues to do work like this, he is completely awesome. John du Pont is such a complex and utterly fascinating character. What are his real motives, why does he do everything he does? John du Pont is slow, plump and moves as if he's planning the next part. But the next part of what? He's such a mystery, which is part of the charm (is that the right word?). You don't really know what he completely wants or if he even knows, or does he have a problem. Such a complex character that is by far Steve Carell's best work. Really pulling for him to win the Oscar.

The look and sound of this film are also top notch. The movie is simply beautiful, lots of just terrific shots of the du Pont estate and the wrestling sequences are also filmed to see the whole thing, as if you're in the audience at the match. Just gorgeous, and I'll just say something I noticed is the fog or mist at the du Pont estate. The way Bennett Miller filmed the fog, I don't know what he did but it is simply beautiful. Just in love with it.

The film is also supposed to be very accurate to the actual events that took place. I guess there is one or two time problems in the film, but really not even much of an complaint (if at all).

A really deep, cold, and well done film. I've heard a couple people say they never want to see this again after watching it the first time, I don't know what's wrong with them, I can't wait till this comes out of blu-ray to get it and watch it again. This is one of the most amazing and original films of last year by far. A very different look at the relationship between mentor and mentee. I originally thought this was going to be a little like Whiplash and that John du Pont would be a really hardcore mentor, but I was really shocked at this. If you don't know the real story, you won't be expecting it. It's disturbing and cold and the point is it's really well done. Overall one of my personal favorites and one of the best of last year by far. It's a slow burn, but a really compelling and intriguing slow burn that is fantastic and really well acted.

So in the end, go see Foxcatcher, its been called a little slow (which not a lot of people like), but it's really good, and if you can't handle the slowness factor you should still be happy for watching the brilliant performances given in Foxcatcher. If you like slow movies, you should love Foxcatcher, or at least I did. Basically see it as soon as you can.

You want to know who is a winner? This film, that's who.

So this is one of my new things that I'll be adding (taking away from?) to my blog, the rating system, or the lack of one. I've decided I won't utilize a normal rating system like 10/10 or a grading scale (A+ sort of thing). I haven't decided if I'll add a unique system or not yet, if you think I should let me know. I just feel as if people only look for the grading and neglect the rest of the review. So we'll see what'll happen.

Also, let me know how you liked Foxcatcher or if you want to see it!