Foxcatcher (2015)

Foxcatcher (R)

"I love wrestling.  I love lamp."

A gloomy, true-life account of the wrestling Shultz brothers who get entangled into the strange lifestyle and obsessions of rich philanthropist John L. Du Pont, who has obsessive ambitions about family, Olympic gold medals and the brothers own attentions.  Written and directed by Bennett Miller (Capote, Moneyball), Foxcatcher is an understated nightmare of atmosphere and obsession, all the more startling considering it's true nature.

Beyond the fantastic cinematography and production design, Foxcatcher is first and foremost a transformation of it's actors.  Gone is Channing Tatum's usual bro-riffic humor and charm and in its stead is a brooding dullard, hidden is Mark Ruffalo's easygoing style and grace which is covered with caveman lumber and brutality, and funny man Steve Carell's lycanthropic transformation is a combination of stiff prosthetic noses and open mouth acting that leaves you expecting a DailyShow break of character that will never come.  What is left on the camera is a humorless gloom that settles on these unfortunate men that rivets you to your seat in anticipation for some kind of event, which when it comes (and being unaware of the actual events depicted) still leaves you slack jawed and unprepared.  A great piece of cinema, almost a perfect combination of Bennett's previous strengths, and a great opportunity for a few perhaps type-cast actors to break out of their usual roles.

8 Wrestling is such an easy target for Homoerotic Subtext out of 10 (GREAT)