With great hype, comes even more hype. And amidst an ocean of awards buzz for Steve Carell and Channing Tatum, Foxcatcher wrestles its way into cinemas. And as a bunch of Public Enemies once said, “Don’t believe the hype”
Based on the true story of Olympic and champion wrestling brothers Mark (Tatum) and Dave Schultz (Mark Ruffalo) Foxcatcher tells their tale of getting involved with multimillionaire John du Pont as they train for the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. This unlikely union (for those who don’t know the true story) provides some gripping and tragic viewing.
Nominations no doubt will beckon for Carell here as his transformation to John du Pont is very good, but overrated. Complete with nearly half a prosthetic face, Carell’s performance here is good, but not necessarily award winning. Yes, he’s nearly unrecognisable and his physical appearance and mannerisms are brilliantly projected. However, his overall performance is quite subdued and reserved at the best of times, compared to the real life du Pont, who seems a bit more upbeat in interviews and footage that can be seen online. One or two exceptions aside, it’s almost if this character study wasn’t completely carried out by Carell here and it’s like a caricature at times.
Channing Tatum, while looking the part of an Olympic wrestler as well as getting sweaty on the mat, doesn’t exactly break a sweat in the performance stakes. To use some ‘rasslin terminology, he’s certainly not a main eventer here, but he’d be on the card. It’s not that Tatum doesn’t get much time to shine, it’s just the fact that he doesn’t do much besides the occasional grunt and subdued conversation with du Pont. In fact, Carell and Tatum are very similar in the vocal delivery and come across quite bland and boring in places.
Mark Ruffalo, not donning his Hulk pants for another few months, doesn’t break much of a sweat here either. He’s likeable and has decent chemistry with everybody on screen, but that’s about it. The supporting cast are rather enjoyable to watch though, especially Vanessa Redgrave as du Pont’s mother. Unfortunately, her elitist ways are tragically underused. Sienna Miller rounds off a decent supporting cast.
The movie itself, while not bad by any means, plods along from scene to scene and seems under no hurry. While it doesn’t drag, it does feel rather slow in it’s pacing. It’s muted and miserable color palette (which is nearly as bland as du Pont) doesn’t help things either.
Overrated performances aside the final chapter of Foxcatcher is riveting stuff though and it’s worth sticking with it (especially if you don’t know the story) through to it’s intense finale. It’s just a shame that the rest of the movie never lifts above average.
