Review of Foxcatcher (2014) by Jaro P — 21 Mar 2015

I was excited for this movie for a few reasons. Mostly because it got a lot of love at the Oscars. Also because the trailer was compelling and because I really like Steve Carell and Mark Ruffalo. What I got was a film that was slow, and scattered, showing moments of interest but overall. I just found it to be kind of mediocre. But let me break it down like this.

Things I liked.

Channing Tatum. If there was one performance that I would say stole the movie for me it would be Channing Tatum's. I feel like he was the standout character and performance in the film. I was surprised after watching this that the Academy gave the nomination to Carell because, while he did do some impressive work, he wasn't nearly as intriguing to watch at Tatum was. The role was yet another reminder that Channing Tatum is much more than just a standard Hollywood pretty-boy.

The wrestling scenes. I found much of the training and wrestling techniques interesting to watch and the actual wrestling matches were very interesting. They were fun to watch and the tension was possibly highest in those moments and the moments surrounding them. I also thought they looked like actual wrestling matches, the struggles and pain felt real as I watched them.

The Brother's Relationship. One of the two central relationships in the film is that Of Dave and Mark Schultz (Ruffalo and Tatum). And the scenes where the pair are together are the height of the movie. Much is gained and the relationship feels very real as they bicker and console each other throughout the film.

Things I didn't like as much.

The tone. It was very much in the same vein as a the tone of your standard Thriller film, except there was no major tension to support the thriller feel. The film felt more like a domestic drama than the edge of your seat thriller feel, that came with the tone this movie places. The soundtrack felt forced and the overall tension felt nonexistent at points.

The story. The story was hard to follow at times. The way things jumped around and the fact that half the movie built to a moment that got washed over and then an ending that felt rushed and forces. All these things made the tragedy that comes in the final few minutes feel less powerful overall. It seemed like a throwaway add on that got stuck there last minute. If the flow had been different this could have been a much more interesting movie.

Overall.

Overall I felt that the directoral choices are what caused the tone and flow of the movie to suffer, while the actors, specifically Tatum, Ruffalo, and Carell, all gave fantastic performances. My respect for Channing Tatum as an actor continues to increase and his work in this film is the current high point in his career. Ruffalo stands up next to each of the others and holds his own and reminds us that he is one hell of and actor. And Steve Carell, while not my favorite performance, does transform in the film and shows that he is much more than a simple comedian.

Foxcatcher, while not my personal favorite film was no slouch. I didn't end the film feeling like my time had been wasted. And so I give Foxcatcher a review of 3/5. Would not watch again but enjoyed the first time through.