ironhorse_iv
Ripped-from-the headlines, this movie turns real-life events into a compelling psychological portrait of power and class struggle, with Olympic wrestling as a backdrop. It made for a very interesting watch. However, without spoiling the movie, too much, my big problem with the movie is how much of the events, the writers, E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman change for the sake for story-telling. Directed by Bennett Miller, the movie tells the story of Olympic gold medalist wrestler, Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and his business relationship with billionaire/wrestling enthusiast John Du Pont (Steve Carrell) on their attempt to build a wrestling camp at Pont's estate, Foxcatcher Farm, without the help of Mark's successful brother, Dave (Mark Ruffalo). However, in real-life, Mark didn't move to Foxcatcher to build a wrestling camp for Du Pont, but instead, Du Pont wanted him to be the assistant coach at Villanova University. Prior to accepting John Du Pont's invitation, Mark had been fired from his assistant coaching position at Stanford. He went to Foxcatcher only to live there in 1986. Also, in real life, Du Pont wanted Mark's brother Dave more than himself. After all, Jon first contacted Dave to coach, who in turn recommended Mark. Another thing, neither of the brothers were living at Foxcatcher, at the same time, like this movie was trying to say. In real life, Mark Schultz left Foxcatcher in 1988 and his brother Dave didn't arrive until 1989. Don't get me wrong, I kinda like this change, as it adds tension between the brothers over the right to coach the Foxcatcher team, but I know, for fact, that there was barely any sibling rivalry. Mark never felt overshadowed by his older brother. In truth, they trained together and really supported each other from a very young age. Both Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo did however, show well that they could handle some tension, while also, showing that they honest do love each other. It made for a very compelling watch. Another thing, the movie add was the sexual tension between Du Pont and Mark. While it was implied by the filmmakers, that some sexual advances did happen between them; nobody for sure, knows, if it did. Mark Schultz has stated out that, while Du Pont and he, indeed did cocaine, together; he didn't have any relationship with John Du Pont, besides business and drug use. However, I found out, by research that Du Pont might not have been as asexual as folks make it out to be. Indeed, John Du Pont was married at one time. His own 1983 marriage dissolve after cases of domestic abuse came into light. Then, there were other abuse cases that was push under the rugs; such was the case of Andre Metzger, a Villanova University wrestling coach who said that he was fired because he had refused Du Pont's homosexual advances and suffer beatings. While, the movie doesn't mention about it. Du Pont indeed had a very close relationship with Bulgarian wrestler, Valentin Jordanov at the time as well; to the point that Jordanov was part of his will, when he died in 2010. While, Valentin wasn't really needed for this part of the story, I just wish, the movie explore more of the business relationship between Jon and Dave. I never really got, the reasons, why Dave was willing to work with Jon, besides feeding his kids. The movie doesn't explore Dave's dream to capture Gold in the 1992 Olympic Games. The film really does gloss over it. Nor does the movie explore the depths of Jon's insanity that much. It was somewhat a letdown for the film, not to show his paranoia. Crazy real-life events like Du Pont sending wrestlers like Kevin Jackson & Trevor Lewis into his attics walls to look for ghosts, using dynamite to destroy a den of fox cubs, driving his car into a pond, twice, or pointing a gun, and burning down, a house to force, wrestler, Dan Chaid out of his house, should had been added to the film. Nor does the movie talk about the amount of hunting that went on, throughout the farm. It really could had add, so much, more thrilling parts, since it deals with weapons. Nor does the movie show that Du Pont's love for swimming, track, and the modern pentathlon. Wrestlers weren't the only athletes to train at Foxcatcher. Where are their stories about Jon Du Pont!? It would make the movie, a lot scarier. Yes, I know that would make the film seem a little more predictable, but the failure to add these, makes the ending with Dave Schultz, seem out of place and forced. Movie should explore Dave's love for the Soviet Union style of living and Jon Du Pont's over-patriotism for America, and Dave wanting to leave Foxcatcher for Stanford more. Despite that, I think Steve Carrell really did a great job in the role. He was very mysterious, prideful and strange, adding a sense of danger with that of eerie melancholy and tragedy detachment to Jon Du Pont's persona. Foxcatcher works because of its three leads. Tatum displays a depth that hasn't been since, his previous undertakings. He really did surprised me, here, both in acting and physical presence. The mirror smashing scene is a great example, as Channing Tatum indeed cut his head open. Talk about dying for your craft. You really do believe that he was a wrestler. The same, goes with Mark Ruffalo in his performance. Both, train hard for these roles. I also love that the real Mark Schultz cameo in this film. Rob Simosen's score is equally as amazing. His score add with the camera work make the ending, so powerful. Although, that ending also, does make UFC look sleazy and low brow. Overall: Aggressively morose, bleak by design. This movie will be an unsettling ride that would wrestle with your soul for days after watching it. Worth watching.
