Page 26 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • December 10, 2014 ‘Foxcatcher’ is gripping tale of trust betrayed by Dennis Seuling “Foxcatcher” is a gripping tale of two brothers who are supported by a wealthy individual in pursuit of athletic greatness. The fact that the plot is based on true events makes the film all the more fascinating. Rather than just another inspiring sports saga, the movie portrays the darker side of human nature and how power can intimidate and destroy. Wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and his brother David (Mark Ruffalo) both won gold medals at the 1984 Olympics. David is happily married with kids and has a job coaching. Mark does not have much of a life apart from practicing with his brother. When Mark unexpectedly gets a phone call from an assistant of John du Pont asking him to come to du Pont’s estate outside Philadelphia (called Foxcatcher Farm), he makes the expenses-paid trip. The meeting between the two men is uneasy. Du Pont (Steve Carell) speaks haltingly, gazes above him, and seems odd, but Mark chalks it up to the man’s lofty station in life. What is important to Mark is that du Pont wants him and his brother to come to Foxcatcher to train. They will receive lodging on the estate, train on state-of-the-art facil- ities, and be paid a generous yearly stipend. Mark is sold. His brother is not. David explains that he has a responsibil- ity to his family. His wife is happy and his kids are doing well in school. He will not uproot them. Mark accepts du Pont’s offer and all goes well…for a while. Du Pont’s eccentricities, rules, and mood swings become increasingly disturbing and eventually escalate. Mark finds he is living through far more than he antici- pated. “Foxcatcher” benefits from three superb performances. Steve Carell and Channing Tatum in ‘Foxcatcher.’ Carell, in an elegantly textured performance, with a pros- thetic nose that helps him to meld into the character of du Pont, provides a chilling portrayal of a man whose actual motivations are masked by patriotism and generosity. As Mark comes to a clearer understanding of du Pont, view- ers see him as more than just a slightly odd guy with a vast fortune. Maybe he wants to sponsor Team Foxcatcher, as he dubs his group of young wrestlers, just as a hobby. Gradually, however, he reveals himself as a dangerous, destructive force that can cause serious harm to his team and Mark, in particular. Tatum is often not taken seriously as an actor because of his movie star looks. As Mark, he turns in a highly dra- matic performance despite having little dialogue. Both thankful to and intimidated by du Pont, Mark minds his tongue and internalizes a lot of what he is feel- ing. Thanks to Tatum’s compelling reactions and body lan- guage, the viewer never doubts for a moment exactly what is going through Mark’s mind. That takes serious concen- tration and focus. Sure, Tatum looks the part of a champi- onship wrestler, but that is merely the physical requirement of the role. Psychologically and emotionally, he is 100 per- cent on target. Ruffalo plays Mark’s older brother, David. An early scene, in which the brothers work out alone in a gym, estab- lishes their relationship. David is Mark’s mentor, friend, coach, and confidant. Since Mark does not have many friends or a romantic relationship of his own, he depends on David for moral support, guidance, and advice. Ruffa- lo’s David is deeply concerned for his brother and clearly loves him. When he speaks to Mark, it is with genuine feel- ing. Ruffalo conveys a brotherly bond that is crucial to the story. Director Bennett Miller (“Moneyball,” “Capote”) under- scores the theme of how the world perceives and shields those with wealth. Because du Pont is acclaimed a hero for championing amateur sports and sponsoring USA Wres- tling, his quirks and bizarre behavior are often overlooked. Rated R, “Foxcatcher” is an excellent, gripping film. It is one of the strongest releases of 2014. Cook Up Some Business! Advertise your restaurant in The Villadom TIMES. You’ll reach over 47,000 households. 201-652-0744 www.villadom.com