Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Bennet Miller certainly knows a thing or two about an Oscar Campaign, his Capote and Moneyball having garnered Festival Circuit success en route to successful Awards Season Trails. With his newest venture, the biographical Foxcatcher, he delivers exactly what his established Fanbase is looking for. The Wrestling Drama is the Story of the USA Olympic Gold Medal-winning Brothers Mark (Channing Tatum) and David (Mark Ruffalo) as they train and coach under Heir John Du Pont‘s (Steve Carell) regime.
For the first half of the Film, the focus is placed on Mark and his victories as he trains with David. However, we quickly learn that Mark is tired of living in his Brother’s shadow. Despite being an accomplished Athlete in his own right, David still is seen as the stronger of the two. This is where Du Pont comes in, enlisting Mark to assist in training on his Family Home’s extensive grounds. In return, Mark promises to deliver Olympic Victory. As his World unravels, David is called upon to take over training duties from Mark, causing a divide between the Siblings at a crucial point.
Miller draws some phenomenal performances from this Trio of Actors, transforming them completely outside anything we could expect. A prosthetic-donning Carell as John Du Pont is on-the-nose (pardon the pun) as the Audience completely buys into his power and control, his over-arching Character is truly menacing and a force to be reckoned with. Tatum delivers a tour-de-force career-defining performance, from his quietly at Du Pont‘s command all the way through to his final breaking point. Physically he looks the part, bulking-up to great effect for the Role and his effort will not go unnoticed this Awards Season.
Foxcatcher is an incredible Film and dare we say, hype-worthy. A Must-See.
FOXCATCHER screens Monday, September 8, 2014 6 PM at Roy Thomson Hall and Tuesday September 9, 2014 12 PM at the Princess of Wales Theatre.
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