Dark, brooding and thoughtful story. Underrated.

Rating: 8/10 (25 May 2016)

Foxcatcher was not what I was expecting. I had no knowledge before watching it of the true story that it is based upon so I wasn't sure if I was going to see a glorified sports movie or something deeper. Thankfully it was something deeper. Foxcatcher is a slow building story - etched with tension and foreboding throughout - which results in an astonishingly dramatic climax. Although it is about a wrestling team the actual action of wrestling is not the prominent feature in the movie. Instead it focuses on the main characters - and all three give absolutely outstanding performances that give this story the weight it should have. Channing Tatum gives an excellent turn as Mark Schultz. He is extremely withdrawn, brooding and unfulfilled. I haven't seen Tatum in such a role before and his portrayal of Schultz's torment was formidable. Steve Carell was also cast in an unusual character role. The result was fantastic. He is extremely uncomfortable to watch in every scene. He casts a foreboding shadow throughout the story line with his unpredictable tension. It was clear to me from early on that something was not quite right with him and I think this movie tries to show that Mark Ruffalo as Dave Schultz was also aware of that. Ruffalo arguably outclasses the other two in his supporting role. His portrayal is understated. He is the family man, concerned older brother and protector of his family. He shows genuine concern for others - especially his brother, and shows all the attributes of a good man. He is the true hero of the story and carries the role effortlessly. The story ultimately ends in tragedy, and shockingly so. What this movie also focuses on is mental health and the extremities of human nature. Some people will watch it and bemoan a lack of action or drama. But the drama is within the slow build up. You have to focus on the characters and their behaviour to realise that this is also a study of human psychology. We get an insight into the voluminous toll that pressure to perform takes out on a person's mentality. It makes us consider mental health and how easy it is to spot when someone may be suffering. It is not an easy watch but it is a worthy piece of film making.