Foxcatcher (2014) - Dreams Could Hurt Sometimes!

★★★★★

Director Bennett Miller’s true story-based ‘Moneyball’ is one of my favorites in rent years where a baseball team GM loses his last important game but wins in relationships. It’s moving and quite of an inspiration. Here in ‘Foxcatcher’, Bennett introduces another turnoff sport to some, wrestling! But just like what happens in ‘Moneyball’, it’s not really about the sport itself. Rather, it’s about a seemingly calm but mentally troubled wealthy man played by Steve Carell having lived under the shadow of his family traditions, trying to live up to his own character and prove that he’s anyhow capable of what he’s been dreaming of. As you might’ve learned, it ends up a tragedy. Again, sad enough, it’s a true story.

‘Foxcatcher’ truly has its own stylish cool pace of telling a dark chilling story where characters are given tremendous space to show off acting. It doesn’t rush at all. It takes its own time, but instead of feeling bored, you'll feel involved and terrified from time to time. The whole film’s like the false calmness before a big terrible storm raging. There isn’t until the last few minutes of the film where you’ll be stunned and horrified in a sense!

People probably all think of Steve Carell as only a comedian. If you don’t, I do, but he’s remarkably cool here at interpreting John du Pont, a man that once you see, y’know there’s something wrong and freaky going on in his mind. The way he speaks, acts and responds kind of gives you chills. Steve’s totally unlike anything he’s ever played here! Channing Tatum’s Mark Schultz and Mark Ruffalo’s Dave are also impressive and convincing. This is a film with a bleak dark backdrop delivering engrossing storytelling, and great acting by actors that you’d never expect they could! Another significant accomplishment by Bennett Miller after ‘Moneyball’, hands down!

‘Foxcatcher’ reminds that the dreams you’re trying to achieve could be rather dangerous if you’re dreaming too high, meaning you basically don’t know exactly what you want and what you’re capable of. Chasing your dreams is nothing wrong but sometimes you might as well simmer down and question if you’ve got what it takes or you’re just fighting the shadow of the past failures; if it’s what your really want or someone else wants; if it’s really good for you or you’re just desperate to prove that you’re nothing but a cut above! I guess before you get to know yourself well, going after your dreams would be just like living nightmares.