Foxcatcher (2014)
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A wealthy heir's obsession with wrestling leads to a chilling and deadly partnership with Olympic athletes.
The story
In 1987, Olympic wrestling champion Mark Schultz is recruited by John E. du Pont, a wealthy and eccentric heir who has established a private training facility in Pennsylvania. Mark joins the 'Foxcatcher' team to train for the World Championship, while his brother Dave initially declines the offer. As Mark trains under du Pont's sponsorship, the two develop a complex relationship. However, tensions rise as du Pont's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and demanding. The film explores the escalating dynamics between the wealthy benefactor and the talented athletes as they prepare for the upcoming Olympic Games, set against a backdrop of intense training and personal ambition.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1987, Mark Schultz is recruited by wealthy heir John E. du Pont to join his private wrestling team, Foxcatcher. While Mark trains and wins the 1987 World Championship, he becomes increasingly dependent on du Pont's support and begins using cocaine. After a series of confrontations and a period of estrangement, Mark's brother Dave eventually joins the team. As the 1988 Olympics approach, the brothers' relationship is strained by du Pont's erratic behavior and the pressure of competition. Following the Olympics, Mark leaves the team to pursue a coaching career, while Dave remains behind. The film culminates in a tragic turn when du Pont, isolated and obsessed, confronts Dave at his home. Du Pont shoots and kills Dave, leading to his own arrest by police. The film concludes with Mark competing in a cage fight, haunted by the memory of his brother.
- First release year
- 2014
- Runtime (minutes)
- 134
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Bennett Miller
- Writers
- E. Max Frye · writer; Dan Futterman · writer
- Cast and characters
- Steve Carell · John Eleuthère du Pont; Channing Tatum · Mark Schultz; Mark Ruffalo · Dave Schultz; Vanessa Redgrave · Jean du Pont
- Genres
- biographical; sports; thriller
- Themes
- obsession; brotherhood; power dynamics
- Tone and mood
- chilling; disturbing
- Premise and plot tags
- true crime; sports drama
- Source material / true-story basis
- Based on the true story of John du Pont and the Schultz brothers.
- Reception
- The film received critical acclaim, particularly for the performances of the three lead actors, the direction, and the visual style.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 88% · scale: percentage · review count: 251; Metacritic · score: 81 · scale: 100 · review count: 49
- Production trivia
- The film's production used a historic estate in Virginia as a stand-in for the du Pont mansion.; The role of Mark Schultz was described by Channing Tatum as his hardest acting challenge to date.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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