A modern tragedy

Rating: 10/10 (3 January 2015)

In spite of dealing with the sport of wrestling, this movie is not primarily an action movie. And like any movie it must rely on acting, directing, and script. Foxcatcher is no exception, and all three are outstanding, especially the acting, which is superb.
Based on a true story, it is above all the story of three men: Dave Schultz, Mark Schultz, and John Eleuthère (aka the Golden Eagle) du Pont, heir to the immense Du Pont fortune. Dave Schultz (Mark Ruffalo), an American Olympic and world champion freestyle wrestler and a seven-time World and Olympic medalist, is the most normal of the three with a loving wife and two children whom he adores. Dave is a good man and an outstanding wrestling coach. And in addition to his family, Dave sincerely loves his younger brother, Mark (Channing Tatum), also an Olympic medalist (1984). Both shared a difficult childhood that left its effect on both of them and Dave watches out for Mark and is concerned about him. And Mark admits Dave was the only real friend he had in childhood.
Mark is the more problematic of the two brothers. Not terribly articulate or knowledgeable about the world, unmarried and going nowhere in his career, he receives a phone call from a man working for John du Pont. Du Pont wants Mark to come and train at his wrestling training center on his Foxcatcher Farm in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, where he is to be groomed as a top wrestler for the upcoming 1988 Olympics. Mark accepts the invitation, an action that sets in motion everything that transpires all the way to its inevitable dark end. Like a stack of dominoes falling down one after another until none are left standing.
But of the three men John du Pont (Steve Carell) is by far the most problematic. If neuroses took the form of porcupine quills, du Pont would have looked like a two-legged porcupine. The nice thing about Foxcatcher is it doesn't shove du Pont's neuroses down your throat. They are suggested by subtle hints in body language, dialogue, scene, and action, and Carell gives an absolutely amazing performance in his rendition of this deeply troubled man. And Vanessa Redgravc gives an outstanding cameo rendition of John du Pont's manipulative mother, Jean du Pont.
It's fair to say that John du Pont destroyed both Dave Schultz and Mark Schultz in his vain ambition to be mentor, leader, brother, and father to the wrestlers training at his wrestling training center. A man who expected his money to control everything, it couldn't control his own hidden desires that ultimately destroyed him too.
A strong connection exists between this story and Ancient Greece. Not only does the story unfold like a real-life Greek tragedy, but wrestling matches played a prominent part in the games of the Ancient Greek Olympics.
As an aside, Carell is known for his comedy, but he should consider more serious roles because he clearly has the talent to pull them off very effectively. I'd love to see what he could do with Julius Caesar.
10/10