A movie so neurotic, so psychotic, and so dark, you just can’t get enough courage to watch it the second time. That is how I feel after stepping out of the theatre. The dark feel of the movie gets into it successfully gave me an eerie, unnerving, disturbing, just-want-it-to-end feeling, although very slow for typical audiences.
Foxcatcher is a movie about two brothers, David (Ruffalo) and Mark Schultz (Tatum), Gold medalists at the 1984 Olympics for freestyle wrestling and their wrestling coach, John E. du Pont (Carrell), a wealthy and “eccentric” billionaire that funds and supports them with a training camp and housing as they prepare for major tournaments. Sounds like a very inspirational and motivating plot, unfortunately it is not, without spoiling anything.
Steve Carell gave an amazing performance as John E. du Pont, with the help of the amazing makeup department. As I am watching this with my girlfriend, she never really knew that John is played by Steve Carell until halfway through the movie. I never really thought that Steve Carell would go out in his comfort zone of playing comedic roles to play this “eccentric” wrestling coach. It is a drastic improvement for him that earned him a deserved nomination as Best Actor in the Oscars.
John E. du Pont delivered the sensations that I wrote in the first paragraph. Every time he is in frame, I just feel that he is going to do something psychotic or neurotic that can harm anyone around him. The character of Mr. du Pont is as disturbing seeing Hannibal Lecter for the first time in Silence of the Lambs. You ever feel riding the bus near midnight with one other passenger just looking around, sitting still not doing anything, staring blankly to the ground? That is how I feel his presence in this movie. I would never ever go near John E. du Pont if I was alive back in 1987.
Steve Carell aside, the performances by both Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo also completes the movie. Although Channing Tatum lacked a little bit, but he delivered a strong role as the protege of Mr. du Pont. I guess I never really liked how he walks. Mark Ruffalo on the other hand plays a tremendous role as the older brother. He is supportive and is the balancing force between John and Mark. Mark being very intense and David being very cool and relaxed. A brotherly dynamic that could be better if added more dialogue.
The movie successfully confuses me on whether or not I should care about success about the sport or the development of a relationship between Mark and John. Throughout the whole movie, I feel the emotion that is driving inside of Mark and roots for his wellness throughout the movie. But, John E. du Pont is a very complex character that needs to be analyzed deeply with a psychological understanding of psychotic and neurotic behavior. The director gave away the fun of it with an unimportant scene in the movie, I was disappointed with such gesture.
Foxcatcher will confuse you, it will get under your skin, it will give you a dilemma whether you should or shouldn’t be watching. Sadly, the movie has a very low replay value as it is very much clear and done after it ends. If you do want to watch it again, you would probably need to gather enough courage to see John E. du Pont back in frame again.
5/5
Before watching this movie, I strongly suggest that you DO NOT read anything or WATCH the trailer of this movie as it will gave away a major plot point.
Watch this movie on blitzmegaplex! https://olb.blitzmegaplex.com/olb/
Buy this movie on Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Foxcatcher-Blu-ray-Mark-Ruffalo/dp/B00QK4ANEI
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Text edited by : Renny Yulistia Adystiani
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