Foxcatcher

Foxcatcher

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 1/16/15

Reviewed 1/22/15 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

This is a very strange story of wealthy John du Pont (Steve Carell), who involves himself in the lives of two Olympic wrestlers. John convinces Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) to move to his estate and help him form a wrestling team for the 1988 Olympics. For some reason the creepy du Pont is obsessed with wrestling. We get a glimpse of his vulnerability that is revealed from his lonely childhood, which explains some aspects of his character.

John du Pont is fixated on Mark (Tatum) bringing his older brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo) to join the team at the estate. Dave is the more stable brother with a solid marriage, two children, and also has better wrestling credentials. This story unfolds as John du Pont seems to be slipping rapidly, leading up to the tragic ending. I realize he was declining, but the movie does not portray any solid reasons why du Pont snapped, resulting in the murder of one of the brothers. Carell's appearance is altered to look more like du Pont and he is spectacular in this serious role. The creepiness really flows out of him. See this film, just to see how good Carell is. While it is somewhat of an interesting story, just remember it is dark, slowish and might put you to sleep.

QUIET Rating system: 2 Js

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  Jj

Time:  Jj