Foxcatcher

Name: Foxcatcher
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport, Thriller
Released: November 14, 2014
Duration: 129 min
Rating: 81
Cast: Anthony Michael Hall, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Sienna Miller, Steve Carell

2014

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 49 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 395 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 395 Ratings

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Foxcatcher

Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: November 14, 2014 | R

Starring: Anthony Michael Hall, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Sienna Miller, Steve Carell, Vanessa Redgrave

Summary: Foxcatcher tells the true story of Olympic Wrestling Champion brothers Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and Dave Schultz (Mark Ruffalo) and their relationship with the eccentric John du Pont (Steve Carell) that led to murder. [Sony Pictures Classics]

Director: Bennett Miller

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Sport, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 129 min

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Awards & Rankings

47	#47 Best Movie of 2014
51	#51 Most Discussed Movie of 2014
74	#74 Most Shared Movie of 2014

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

May 23, 2014

It is a gripping film: horrible, scary and desperately sad. Read full review

100

Peter Travers

Nov 13, 2014

The hypnotic and haunting Foxcatcher can prove its worth as one of the year's very best films. Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo give the performances of their lives. Read full review

100

Steve Persall

Jan 14, 2015

Miller unravels this story with the grim inevitability of a death row vigil, but not without flashes of sly humor. Read full review

Film.com Jordan Hoffman

May 20, 2014

Nothing short of fascinating. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Nov 13, 2014

Foxcatcher is a radical departure from Mr. Miller’s previous feature, the smart and entertaining “Moneyball.” It isn’t meant as conventional entertainment, but it’s fascinating to watch from start to finish. Read full review

Dana Stevens

Nov 15, 2014

As powerful as Foxcatcher can be scene to scene, there’s something maddeningly indistinct about it at times, as if the details that would make it all make sense remain somehow inaccessible to us. Read full review

Keith Uhlich

May 23, 2014

Once Miller lays all his cards on the table, however, you realize you haven’t been watching people struggling with the very real temptations of unchecked privilege, so much as fumbling blindly in a glib, gloomy satire of American exceptionalism. Read full review

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User Reviews

ednunez

Nov 15, 2014

Thoroughly written, directed and acted. "Foxcatcher" is Bennett Miller's finest work, and Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum and the incredible Steve Carell are at top of their game. One of the best films of the year!

12 of 20 users found this helpful128

AndoniZarr

Jan 18, 2015

Without a doubt it's Bennet Miller's finest work. The way he constructs the tension and dark side of the story is simply brilliant. The film excels in directing because it doesn't takes the easy way, it's a masterclass on how to create a minimal, subtle and elegant thriller. Steve CarrellWithout a doubt it's Bennet Miller's finest work. The way he constructs the tension and dark side of the story is simply brilliant. The film excels in directing because it doesn't takes the easy way, it's a masterclass on how to create a minimal, subtle and elegant thriller. Steve Carrell delivers the best he's done till now with a stunning performance. What it just don't get is why only a few speak about Channing Tatum? He truly gives a brutal Oscar worthy performance.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

ledaumas

Jan 25, 2015

What an awful lesson to learn. If a rich guy is so weird he's constantly making your uncomfortable, you're just going to have to forget about the money that you so badly need. It's unfortunate to realize there are so many mentally-Ill people among us, and we don't know when they'll snap.What an awful lesson to learn. If a rich guy is so weird he's constantly making your uncomfortable, you're just going to have to forget about the money that you so badly need. It's unfortunate to realize there are so many mentally-Ill people among us, and we don't know when they'll snap. Wish the movie stuck closer to the real story, but it was still an impressive cast of good acting in this horrible story of a crazy person masquerading as a benevolent mentor.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

petrocs

Dec 17, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I remember the murder of Olympic wrestler Dave Schultz like it was just yesterday. Being from the Philadelphia area, the story was all that anyone talked about for weeks after the tragedy. Not only was Dave Schultz an Olympic gold medalist, but John du Pont and his family were such big personalities in these parts. It's not everyday you get to relive a local tragedy played out on film, but Director Bennett Miller has reenacted this story for the screen in hauntingly realistic fashion. Foxcatcher is going to leave you speechless.
Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) is an Olympic gold medalist for wrestling who has ambitions of returning to the Olympics to win gold in the 1998 Seoul games. Life on the outside for the Olympic gold medalist isn't all fame and glory. Living alone in a run down apartment and living on ramen noodles in between workouts has become a way of life for the American hero. Mark's older brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo) is also an Olympic gold medal wrestler who is helping Mark get ready for the World Championships. A relationship that appears, on the surface, to be strained by jealousy on the part of Mark. Dave has won multiple championships, has a loving family with his wife Nancy (Sienna Miller), and their young children and steady employment, while Mark struggles with his place in life. Mark is determined to leave his own mark and get out of the shadow of his successful brother.
John du Pont (Steve Carrell) is a multimillionaire sports enthusiast with aspirations of becoming a wrestling mentor. His dream is to have his wrestling facility, Foxcatcher Farms, be the official wrestling training site for the US Olympic team. What du Pont needs is an Olympic wrestler to train on his grounds and help begin to build his dream. After being contacted by du Pont's representatives, Mark flies to Pennsylvania to meet with the philanthropist and the two come to an agreement. The agreement not only allows Mark financial freedom, but also allows Mark to remove himself from Dave's influence. A divide between the brothers has been fortified and allows the influence of du Pont to take hold.
It becomes quickly apparent that du Pont's aspirations of an athletic career were squandered by his conservative mother (Vanessa Redgrave), which has led the eccentric man-child to believe coaching to be his strongest asset. With little experience in molding young minds in the art of wrestling, it becomes abundantly clear that du Pont's interest appear nothing more than a mere hobby. Du Pont's power and influence have allowed him to exploit a young man who's in need of a father-figure and brainwashed him into believing that he's the answer Mark has been searching for. The influence of du Pont quickly takes hold on Mark and his life begins to spiral out of control.
Determined to make Foxcatcher successful, du Pont hires the services of Mark's brother Dave to train the group for the Olympic trials, a move that does not sit well with Mark. Tensions begin to escalate between the three men and a mental chess game begins. Dave attempts to derail Mark's freefall and navigate du Pont's eclectic personality all the while trying to keep the team on track to meet its goal of becoming Olympic champs. As the story culminates with the death of Dave you can assume that things take a turn for the worse. It's the buildup to the event that stands apart from the rest of the story, the hows and the whys, and those things become the most chilling.
Director Bennett Miller (Moneyball) has created a eerily mesmerizing depiction of manipulation and deceit and the cinematography of Greig Fraser (Zero Dark Thirty) is gripping. The performances by each of the three actors is spellbinding. Tatum allows his chiseled persona to omit vulnerability and allow for an emotionally driven performance of a life time. Mark Ruffalo is the calming force between two tides in this film and he allows for a balance sorely needed. Ruffalo is never overpowering and he allows his character to play off each of his costars and his brotherly relationship with Mark is wonderful. Steve Carrell is haunting as the eccentric du Pont. His transformation into this character, including the mannerisms and mental state, are truly a wonder and one of the most interesting performances of his career.
Overall, Foxcatcher is a gripping film but albeit a long, slow one. A movie delayed nearly a year by the studio to "complete" the film is never a good sign, but the performances by Tatum and Carrell may push this one into contention for award consideration. This movie is not for everyone, fans of these actors earlier work may find the movie boring and uninteresting, but if you're looking for a good drama, this may be a film that would interest you.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

csw12

Dec 28, 2014

The best part of Foxcatcher are the three well acted roles of Carell, Tantum, and Ruffalo. This is a film that reaches its climax too late and when it finally arrives doesn't match the narrative that precedes it. A pace that is slow and mostly effective but not worth the wait.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

irmdog

Jan 1, 2015

I was looking forward to seeing this movie because I remember this story from the news when I was a kid. I wondered why a guy from a rich family who had everything would give it all up by murdering a wrestler. Unfortunately after sitting through 2 hours of very slow paced film I still don'tI was looking forward to seeing this movie because I remember this story from the news when I was a kid. I wondered why a guy from a rich family who had everything would give it all up by murdering a wrestler. Unfortunately after sitting through 2 hours of very slow paced film I still don't know why, there was no explanation why he snapped, he acted strange from beginning to end. Also, why did the 21 Jump Street dude, who called him a father, suddenly act like a dick towards the 40 Year old Virgin guy? Because he gave him a slap after missing a practice? That's a good reason to get slapped, especially since 40 Year Old Virgin is paying for everything. Potentially a great film if it made more sense.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Dongwaltney

Feb 19, 2015

The foxcatchers is the worst movie I have ever seen. it is far from being entertainment. Why Steve Carroll agreed to take on the role of this depressing, debased loser is baffling. There is absolutely nothing redeeming or inspirational in this meaningless tale of an egotistical man tryingThe foxcatchers is the worst movie I have ever seen. it is far from being entertainment. Why Steve Carroll agreed to take on the role of this depressing, debased loser is baffling. There is absolutely nothing redeeming or inspirational in this meaningless tale of an egotistical man trying desperately to hone in on enjoyment of athletic success. My wife argued that this was based on a true story. This only proves that most true stories don't bear repeating and are certainly not worthy of being turned into a mIiovie. I left this movie three times and only came back to get my wife. This movie was not just a waste of time; it was a waste of effort. The movie's makers must have been demented if they reckoned anyone would enjoy this cinematic crap.… Expand

0 of 10 users found this helpful010

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