When Charlie Chaplin made his famous speech in 'The Great Dictator' back in 1940, an idea was started in many people’s minds – that great comic actors could produce equally great work in a serious tone.
That idea has been tapped into heavily in more recent years – Jim Carrey in 'Eternal Sunshine', Will Smith in 'Seven Pounds', and Robin Williams in 'One Hour Photo' just to name an excellent few. Steve Carell has dabbled in darker tones, but maintained a comedy element in works like 'Little Miss Sunshine' and 'The Way Way Back'. He plays an entirely different creature in Bennett Miller’s 'Foxcatcher'; one that will be long-remembered for all the right reasons.
'Foxcatcher' is based on the true story of Mark Shultz (Channing Tatum), a gold medal Olympic wrestler along with his more celebrated brother David (Mark Ruffalo). Mark’s opportunity to make an individual name for himself comes in the form of the ludicrously wealthy John Du Pont (Carell), who invites Mark to his Pennsylvanian estate to train for 1987 Wrestling World Championships and upcoming 1988 Seoul Olympics.What starts off as an odd coaching relationship gradually turns volatile as the dark eccentricities of Du Pont are revealed, and the brothers are rapidly drawn into a far more dangerous and sinister quest for glory with no good end in sight.
Miller’s select style of pacing and narrative is definitive in the film, and his sparse use of dialogue, action and sound create scenes ranging from squirmingly awkward to downright chilling. The majority of these moments are steered by Carell’s sublime performance as Du Pont – this is an absolute achievement for the previously comical, sarcastic actor.
Du Pont’s words are meticulously chosen; his work and coaching methods even more so. From his first scene the character reeks of careful, concealed planning, and viewers will sympathise with Tatum’s comparatively sincere Mark Schultz as he is unwittingly drawn into his benefactor’s traps.
Ruffalo shines as family man and loyal brother David, who soon becomes the only voice of reason amidst the destructive story, and the ensemble cast all contribute well to further highlight the uncomfortable oddities of Du Pont. From his quietly enthused patriotism to his squeamish interactions with his wrestlers and his mother (Vanessa Redgrave), Carell is the unsettling, mesmerising epicentre of the story as it slithers its way towards a seemingly unavoidable tragic ending.Aside from the stellar acting, Rob Simonsen’s score works to highlight each descent of the story into deeper levels of gloom, whilst Greig Fraser’s blunt, unflinching cinematography leaves the audience feeling vulnerable and all-too-present in the insanity that unfolds around them.
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'Foxcatcher' is a credit to Miller’s direction – it is a haunting story made all too real through superb casting and writing that breathe cold life into its hero turned villain. This is essential and unrelentingly tense viewing.
4.5/5
'Foxcatcher' is in cinemas now.
This review first appeared on The Is Film.
