Foxcatcher (2014), R, ★★★

Unrecognizable Steve Carell talking with Channing Tatum.

How do you become the best? You train from the best and you train hard and tough as any athlete in the sport. But, the question is, how far do you go to become the best? There could be risks and consequences but also interfering and psychological actions that could impact an athlete's ability to overcome the adversity to become a perfect athlete. However, when a trainer's methods become out of control because of his pedestrian and questionable behavior, an athlete will be unfocused on winning a title. This movie mixes a sports drama with a little crime and it turns to a good, solid film solely because of the three strong performances.

The movie sets in 1987 where Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) is an Olympic wrestling champion living alone in a small home. His brother, Dave (Mark Ruffalo) is another well-respected gold metal winner and they both practice in the gym at Weller University, where Mark accidentally punches Dave in the face causing his nose to bleed. Mark receives a phone call to attend a meeting at Pennsylvania where he will meet John Du Pont (Steve Carell) at his big mansion. John asks Mark about his ambitions and he replies that he wants to be the best. He asks Mark to become a part of a wrestling team and to encourage Dave to participate with them. Mark asks Dave later and Dave replies that he does not want to uproot his family and settle.

Mark moves into John's estate where all of the team members treat John like a fatherly figure. John really focuses on his aspirations to become the best and even glances at his past victories as he has one of the team members moves his mother's horse-breeding trophies for a spot for his wrestling trophies. John and Mark promote themselves as "Team Foxcatcher" at events, photoshoots, and other gatherings. However, conflicts get in the way as John has to deal with his mother and Dave moves into Pennsylvania helping Mark out with his training.

Du Pont (Carell) and Dave (Ruffalo) seeing Mark Schultz's (Tatum) weight.

What I like about this movie is that this film is very different from its sports films. The movie ventures off into dark and unpredictable territories that nobody can even imagine that a sports film can go. In its eerie, dark and cold atmosphere, the atmosphere symbolizes, in my opinion, the epitome of Du Pont's American dream of becoming the best and does not care whether if it silly or not. Du Pont loves Mark as an athlete but what about as a person? Does he care about him? It is a debate because he is disciplined. It is his and also Mark's abyss of displaying the work ethic that they both are immersive in by trying to get another title and another trophy in his collection.

I gave away as to why I liked the movie because of three strong and great performances but in different range and qualities. Tatum has emerged into quite an actor ever since 21 Jump Street, another movie in a totally opposite end of the spectrum, displaying his comic chops. He prepared for this role working out and mentally preparing for this role. He shows his vulnerability and his strength in his meaty role, maybe, sometimes simultaneously. Ruffalo gives a quiet and strong performance as the brother who wants his brother to become successful but does not want to upstage himself in this sports ruckus and the relationship between Du Pont and Mark. However, Carell is impressive as he disappears and not plays it safe in his darkest role to date representing the maelstrom figure of unpredictable emotions. We do not know what he may be thinking underneath all of that makeup.

Why did I not love the movie? First, Bennett Miller, the director of Capote and Moneyball, has an eye for creating detailed information and creating flawed characters. However, I think he injects too much sports formula into the film and the interest withers away as we find out what happens to Mark Schultz. But, the climax is just dark and riveting that it held my attention. Second, I thought it was overlong and it should have cut out the promotions scenes and some fluff and it is slow-paced. But, this movie immerses you into a darker place. Ever since watching Raging Bull, I have never been immersed into a dark territory in a sports film. But, despite the formula, the film seizes your attention with three great performances and some drama in sports and in the family categories. I expect nominations for the performances.

***