Foxcatcher (Dir.Bennett Miller/2015)
No music and little dialogue introduce brothers Mark (Tatum)
and Dave (Ruffalo) Schultz. The dance of wrestlers, grabbing and holding each
other in pin-downs and body-throws, prove their intimate knowledge of each
other’s physicality. A combination of Bennett Miller’s considered direction and
the actor’s commitment ensure that their relationship is deeply personal and
wholly authentic. Foxcatcher is
rooted in the world of wrestling, whereby the support of John Du Pont (Steve
Carrell) gave security to athletes determined to be the best. But there is unease
amongst the Foxcatcher ranch boys. Tension is clear between the hulking-Mark
against family-man Dave. The isolation of the misty Pennsylvania-estate could
be plucked from a 19th-century painting. Then ‘coach’ Du Pont
arrives - holding a gun. He gazes down his nose and eyes his Olympians. Is it
admiration or attraction? It’s uncomfortable – and Miller doesn’t let you off
the hook for a second. Du Pont’s “training” as his mother looks on is disturbing,
but revealing about this duplicitous man. Alluding to the Du Pont fox-catching family
history, we wonder if ‘Eagle’ Du Pont is the mounted rider, belittling the “low-sport”
foxes. Or is he the fox, as enormous sportsmen bullishly carry their masculine
dominance around his property? A slow-build thriller, Foxcatcher is a stubborn film, whereby no narration or sharp-cut
will take you out of the knowing glances and awkward acceptance of this
questionable lucky-break. The disturbingly
calm atmosphere may be an acquired taste but electrifying performances force
you to appreciate the perfection of Foxcatcher.
Rating: 8/10
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