Fuelled by Terrific Performances Foxcatcher is a Captivating Biopic

Rating: 10/10 (10 January 2015)

Olympic wrestling would not usually be my top choice for a biopic. So it surprises me to say that Foxcatcher is one of the best and most compelling films that I have seen in a long time.
The true story upon which this film is based is the Olympic Wrestling Team – Foxcatcher. Mark Schultz is trained and brought to John Du Pont's grounds to compete in the 1988 Wrestling Olympics in Seoul, where he trains with a group and his brother Dave.
Earlier this year I saw the film 'The Theory of Everything'. I stated that Eddie Redmayne who played Stephen Hawking deserves to win an Oscar. After seeing 'Foxcatcher' it is my duty to retract that statement, as each of the three male actors work above and beyond to the best of their ability. Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo give career defining performances that are guaranteed to be remembered on their filmography.
Although Ruffalo is great, I feel that it is his performance that I gained the least out of as he is given much less screen time than the others and therefore less to do. That being said his performance here is on par with his best work – 'Zodiac'. Carell and Tatum are at the core of this film's success and contribute to perhaps why I love this film as much as I do. Their relationship is intriguing and as the film nears its last third the collective strain on it is tangible.
Carell was what I most feared; I felt before I saw this film that he is more suited to comedic roles and would not be able to accurately portray the innate creepiness of John Du Pont. Rest assured that he is absolutely astonishing, most of the time I forgot I was watching a film, at some points I felt like I was watching a documentary.
Now, Tatum he deserves an Oscar, in this film he keeps himself extremely restrained. You can tell from his face his thoughts and feelings; you can literally read his mind. He usually portrays characters that are well versed in the world of sports and yes he is in this film as well. But my, he is so subtle, to deny this man an Oscar would be to deny the sheer driving power of the film itself.
Many people it seems have taken issue with the films pacing. In all honesty, if Stanley Kubrick was still alive he could have directed it. Read into that what you will. However, this film relies on a bleak tone and I feel that the pacing compliments the film perfectly. If it was too fast then we would never get into the mind-set of the characters – thankfully we do!
If you pay any attention to cinematography you will find so much for your eyes to feast upon. Almost every image is imprinted on my mind – the truth is this movie won't leave me alone and I mean that in a positive way!
It is your duty to watch 'Foxcatcher' – it has three of the best performances I have seen from a film released in 2014. An enticing script, mind bogglingly great cinematography, an unbelievable third act and heart thumping music. Put into simple terms – deny yourself this film and you are denying yourself one of the best Biopics ever put to celluloid.