Director: Bennett Miller
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum and Steve Carell
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood that achieved fame several years ago are as celebrated as Mark Ruffalo. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Ruffalo has become a celebrated icon. Whether it’s detectives investigating murders, bold political leaders or members of superhero teams, Ruffalo has portrayed many compelling characters. Arguably, Ruffalo’s finest strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always had a talent for stealing the show in commemorated supporting roles with a limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t the main focus of a movie, Ruffalo has commonly left a strong impression. Although he is best known for his commemorated role as the Hulk in the MCU, Ruffalo has claimed that he can make engaging movies in nearly every genre. Throughout his enduring career, Ruffalo has made many unforgettable movies that are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Ruffalo and adore movies he has made in his career. However, “Foxcatcher” is truly my favourite. Released in 2014, Bennett Miller’s film offered a strong g tribute towards wrestling brothers. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the finest movies ever made about wrestling. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Mark Ruffalo, who portrays a wrestling champion facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Foxcatcher” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies about wrestling, it discusses strong themes that everyone would relate to. A captivating masterpiece about the lives of wrestlers, there are many reasons why “Foxcatcher” is a commemorated movie that’s worth seeing.
Based upon true events, “Foxcatcher” tells the story of a wrestling team that strives to make its dreams come true. Mark Ruffalo embodies David Schultz, a wrestling trainer with a strong love for his profession. David has always had a lifelong bond with his brother Mark (Channing Tatum), an athlete he trained for sports glory. However, David’s live forever changes when he is recruited by a famous leader. John Du Pont (Steve Carell) is a notorious sports manager in a position of power. Seeking control, Du Pont is driven to push the Schultz brothers to achieve a goal. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Schultz is forced to wonder whether it’s possible to become an iconic wrestling trainer. Faced with a dilemma, Schultz questions love for a tense profession that causes his brother to experience trauma.
Bennett Miller is fascinated with the themes of sports. A fantastic filmmaker, Miller has often made engaging films about sports managers. His iconic film “Moneyball” captures the lives of sports managers seeking success in games of baseball. With “Foxcatcher”, however, Miller made his first ever wrestling drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of wrestling brothers seeking glory but he pulled it off effectively. Using strong cinematography, Miller captures wrestling brothers which seek prosperity. Evoking Martin Scorsese’s “Raging Bull”, Miller effectively uses handheld camera to capture bonds of wrestling brothers seeking to be successful. For instance, the handheld camerawork enhances the wrestling training scene. During this unforgettable scene, David seeks to prepare his brother for the upcoming wrestling game by training. Through stunning handheld camerawork, Miller creates a strong portrait of wrestling. Handheld camerawork is a complicated technique. Joss Whedon’s “The Avengers” suggested that handheld cameras enhance commemorated comic-book movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through captivating visuals, Miller captures tension that commemorated wrestling brothers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Foxcatcher” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Inspired by David O. Russell’s “The Fighter”, Miller effectively uses real-life boxing rings to capture tension that wrestling brothers are facing. For instance, boxing rings enhance the championships scene. During this haunting scene, David faces tension when he witnesses his brother endure injuries in his boxing match. Through real-life boxing locations, Miller crafts a portrait of sport that is engaging. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Rob Simonsen’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing a burden that wrestlers bear. Through stunning production, Miller captures wrestlers that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Foxcatcher” is a film about wrestling that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses silence to capture wrestlers seeking experience. For instance, the silence enhances the boxing aftermath scene. During this unforgettable scene, David faces moment of silence when he finds his brother has been deceived by Du Pont. Through silence, Miller creates a portrait of wrestling that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” suggested that silence enhances adaptations of feminist books. Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island” demonstrated silence often enhances movies about mental hospitals. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using a strong screenplay, Miller captures the lives of wrestlers that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Mark Ruffalo delivers one of his finest career performances as David Schultz. Ruffalo first earned appreciation playing hulking heroes in comic-book films. With “Foxcatcher”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to embody a wrestling trainer seeking to train his brother to glory but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in a past before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most layered role. Ruffalo has excelled at embodying emotional heroes which are under pressure, and “Foxcatcher” demonstrated his strength as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, grief and resentment of a wrestling trainer seeking glory. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Ruffalo, the supporting cast is also terrific and worthy of appreciation. Channing Tatum is captivating, bringing determination to a boxer seeking success in a competitive match which emanates tension. Steve Carell is spectacular, capturing the authoritative nature of a fierce wrestling manager that motivated athletes to believe there is nothing in the whole world they can’t achieve. Lastly, Sienna Miller deserves appreiceiron. As a housewife, she once an air of tension to the movie.
Finally, “Foxcatcher” would earn recognition of everyone for capturing wrestling brothers facing disasters. Unlike most movies about wrestling, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses relevant themes including brotherhood, family and power that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the wrestling sport to truly appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about trauma which would resonate amongst everyone. Therefore, “Foxcatcher” is one of those rare wrestling movies which everyone will treasure.
Fans of Mark Ruffalo would love “Foxcatcher” and so would movie-goers seeking enjoyable entertainment. A wonderful wrestling biopic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about wrestling brothers facing obstacles that are terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in engaging movies that are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 