FOXCATCHER

The actors are trying so hard in their respective roles in FOXCATCHER that one can almost see  steam coming out of their ears but this is a good film.

First and foremost of the actors involved is Steve Carrell, the subject of a lot of hype and best actor Oscar buzz.  He is really convincing - Alternately reassuring, pathetic, and scary. Generally, not a fan of his but he is good in this dramatic part. His "horses are stupid" speech and the helicopter scene are amazing as his scene with Vanessa Redgrave playing his mother - The actor totally inhabiting the role.

It doesn't try to shed any great light on what occurred between the Schultz Brothers and John Du Pont relying instead on a well-constructed script and a lot of implied action. The end is bit rushed but we do largely get Du Pont. I appreciate a film like this that doesn't telegraph everything, leave some challenge to the viewer to interpret.

In particular what occurred between Du Pont and Mark Schultz (a focused performance by Channing Tatum) – Was it something sexual?  This is left to the audience’s imagination although I felt it was implied.

Another thing I liked was its portrait of old money wealth as degenerate and ugly whether being able to purchase any useless item like a tank or as a shield covering up Du Pont’s mental illness and deteriorating state.

It moves very fast in the last 15 minutes after Mark Schultz loses in the 1988 Olympics Wrestling event and leaves his house.  Dave Schultz, his brother, was a poor substitute.  Carrell’s Du Pont is a needy person but also one suffering from delusions.  All of this is explained in the two hour running time.

Also this film makes good use of its exterior location shots, Foxcatcher estate especially, to show its characters moods and feelings.