One of the movies I’m convinced will stand the best chance of sweeping the 2015 Oscars is this fall’s Foxcatcher. Directed by talented Moneyball helmer Bennett Miller, the drama tells the true story of Olympic Wrestling Champion brothers Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and Dave Schultz (Mark Ruffalo), examining how their relationship with millionaire John du Pont (Steve Carell) eventually turned deadly. It looks like a riveting, heart-rending story with stunning performances from Tatum and Carell, and I’m convinced that the Academy is going to favor it this fall.
A tense new trailer for Foxcatcher has hit the web today, focusing on Mark’s inner turmoil and hinting at the abusive relationship he had with du Pont. It’s a compelling watch that only teases the brutality and heartbreak of the Schultzs’ story.
Sienna Miller, Vanessa Redgrave, and Anthony Michael Hall all co-star in Foxcatcher, which opens November 14th. Check out the full synopsis along with the trailer below, and let us know whether or not you think Foxcatcher is destined for Oscar glory.
Based on true events, FOXCATCHER tells the dark and fascinating story of the unlikely and ultimately tragic relationship between an eccentric multi-millionaire and two champion wrestlers.
When Olympic Gold Medal winning wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) is invited by wealthy heir John du Pont (Steve Carell) to move on to the du Pont estate and help form a team to train for the 1988 Seoul Olympics at his new state-of-the-art training facility, Schultz jumps at the opportunity, hoping to focus on his training and finally step out of the shadow of his revered brother, Dave (Mark Ruffalo). Driven by hidden needs, du Pont sees backing Schultz’s bid for Gold and the chance to “coach” a world-class wrestling team as an opportunity to gain the elusive respect of his peers and, more importantly, his disapproving mother (Vanessa Redgrave).
Flattered by the attention and entranced by du Pont’s majestic world, Mark comes to see his benefactor as a father figure and grows increasingly dependent on him for approval. Though initially supportive, du Pont’s mercurial personality turns and he begins to lure Mark into an unhealthy lifestyle that threatens to undermine his training. Soon du Pont’s erratic behavior and cruel psychological game-play begin to erode the athlete’s already shaky self-esteem. Meanwhile du Pont becomes fixated on Dave, who exudes the confidence both he and Mark lack, knowing that these are things even his money cannot buy. Fueled by du Pont’s increasing paranoia and alienation from the brothers, the trio is propelled towards a tragedy no one could have foreseen.
FOXCATCHER is a rich and moving story of brotherly love, misguided loyalty and the corruption and emotional bankruptcy that can accompany great power and wealth. As with Academy Award® nominee Bennett Miller’s previous feature films, CAPOTE and MONEYBALL, he explores large themes in society through his complex character portraits of real people.
