Intriguing, but ultimately boring

Rating: 4/10 (31 December 2014)

Foxcatcher is a film directed by Bennett Miller, focusing on the murder of wrestler Dave Schulz by John Du Pont, and the relationship between Du Pont and Dave's brother Mark.
Carell's Du Pont is meticulously detailed, but over exaggerated. Credit has to be given to Carell for successfully creating a genuinely creepy persona. However, would this film be as hyped if it starred the familiar faces of Hollywood drama? Tatum commits to the role, but the portrayal of Schulz as a mindless jock, with what appears to be near intellectual disabilities, is comical (Schulz had a 3.6 GPA, and gained a Masters Degree from OU). I felt as if the purpose of this 'character driven' film was to showcase the talents of the actors, and to conceal the weak script.
The cinematography, sound, editing all attempt to build suspense; to alleviate the sense of Du Pont's madness. It was presented like a Social Network rip off, with the score sounding like some of Trent Reznor's C-sides. The film does not have the kind of comprehensively detailed script, or multi-layered undertones to support this kind of slow build up. It is a simple story. Lets compare this to a few other 'slow burners'. Gone Girl, for example is similarly directed, and slowly paced. The difference is, Gone Girl is a mystery, with twists and turns, which constantly evolves to keep the viewer intrigued. No Country For Old Men is slowly paced. However, this film does not contain anywhere near as much thematic of character depth as NCFOM. Intentionally or not, we are left with over an hour of monotonous buildup, followed by a climax that felt rushed.
We are left with so many questions about Du Pont's motives, and so many questions about Mark. In fact, we were barely left with any details about the deterioration of Mark and John's relationship. The film is too busy reiterating the theme of American exceptional-ism, and Du Pont's over patriotism. It plays like a stuck record.
Put bluntly, Foxcatcher is a boring film. I could not think of any circumstance where I would want to watch it again. Well, other than to laugh at Carell's prosthetic nose.