Foxcatcher [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray] [2014]

It is difficult to fathom exactly what is going on in director Bennett Miller's Foxcatcher. The characters here are hesitant to let you into their worlds let alone their heads. As an audience member, we feel as if we're watching from the outside in on the situation at hand, never knowing the motivation of anyone as each seem to live in this world of fear. Whether it be John du Pont (Steve Carell), Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) or even Dave Schultz (Mark Ruffalo) each possess a fear of either coming to terms with logic and the abnormalities of their situation or the fear of losing control. While the Schultz brothers are vastly different from one another they both come to understand the oddities of their circumstances at Du Pont's Foxcatcher farms. Du Pont, on the other hand, is little more than a mystery to everyone around him. Mark comes to the heir of the Du Pont family fortune early and allows the stranger things about his mentor to slip through the cracks because he shows a belief in him that no one else has ever extended. Still, despite the relationships that evolve and the dynamics that come to the surface never do we feel as if we can see why these characters are the way they are. Every line of dialogue though is used to peel back a layer of the characters and reveal something more about the backstory that has made this person who they are today. It is a technique that Miller uses most effectively allowing us to constantly crave more from the film while only giving away what it wants you to know so as to not poison the ambition of the project with unsatisfying conclusions. Whether you know what is coming or not you are riveted by the procedural nature of the film as it methodically chronicles the rise and fall of a friendship never believed to be genuine and the repercussions of the falling out of that paid for affection. Foxcatcher is a strange film filled with strange people, but it is all the more fascinating for it. It is a film I feel I could go on writing about for days and discussing at even greater length as I know each time I re-visit it I will only find new things that only highlight what I might have barely took note of before. It is a cold film, one that will at first seem off-putting for it, but the more you think about it the more the inhumanity produced by the circumstances it chronicles eats away at you.

Foxcatcher doesn't appear to be anything remarkable at-a-glance, but its technical prowess and stunning performances say otherwise, as they pertain to both the core story detail and the external portrayals thereof. It's a fairly straightforward, if not deliberate, story of insanity slow-brewing beneath a mountain of wealth and an unyielding passion, both of which mask, but cannot fully contain, the reality below. The film is strikingly beautiful in its simplicity and slow simmering approach. It ends quickly, a punctuation on a carefully constructed build-up to tragedy. Shaped by gorgeously knowledgeable and exacting direction, precision editing, and several incredibly detailed performances that rank amongst the finest of the decade thus far, Foxcatcher stands as one of the strongest films of 2014. Sony's Blu-ray release of Foxcatcher comes with a disappointingly slim collection of extras, but video an audio presentations are fine. Very highly recommended.

Powerful from beginning to end! A tragic story about the murder of Mark Schultz, Olympic Gold Medalist in Wrestling, by John du Pont. It has a bit of a documentary feel as the film shines light on this darker subculture of wrestling. Yet, a sad cautionary tale of unbridled capitalism reminding us that money doesn't buy happiness. Outstanding performances all around with a haunting soundscape. This isn't a frilly night at the movies. It puts you in a head lock and doesn't let go.

I love movies based on actual history and this one delivers. This one also involves my sport, wrestling(real wrestling-not trashy theatre). So having an interest in history and as a former wrestler myself this certainly appealed to me. Quality acting and directing that is far more than about athletics. This is a true story with good overall accuracy(impossible to be perfect). Not just for guys.

I went into this movie very excited to see how Steve Carrell and Channing Tatum would handle more dramatic roles. I was completely blown away by the transformation of them both. I was hooked on this story from start to finish. Also, a great performance by Mark Ruffalo as usual. Despite how good the movie is, I am not sure how many times I will watch it again.

Here is both Steve Carrell and Channing Tatum at best of their acting abilities. These roles will be cemented in film history as probably their deepest and most well crafted. Although he doesn't get nearly as much screen time as his two main costars, Mark Ruffalo also deserves honorable mention as Tatum's on -screen, big hearted brother. Even if you aren't into wrestling (I am not ), the film is still very enthralling. It is a tense drama that builds the entire run time and will leave you wanting more. Such a beautiful film to come out of an even more disturbing and sad true story.

Excellent acting by the entire cast makes this movie worth seeing. It's a story Im surprised I didn't know given when it took place I was just surprised this wasn't a bigger story. This movie has not only great acting but an excellent true story with some shocking points here and there.

Going in I didn't know really what to expect from Foxcatcher but it was,t exactly what I thought. I knew this wouldn't be a comedy but I didn't think I expected the slow burn of the movie. Folks this is a long one. At first the story moves at a snails pace peppered with moments of intrigue. Steve Carell is great in the role and is given plenty of screen time (perhaps too much?) and Channing Tatum does the best work of his career, but I think it's Mark Ruffalo who really gives a great performance for every second he's on scene he is believable and clearly invested in the material. The ending is a tad abrupt but overall it was a great learning experience getting to know about the events of this strange, interesting, true story.