Foxcatcher

"A coach is a father, a coach is a mentor, a coach has great power on an athlete's life."

“Foxcatcher” is the 2014 drama film based on the true story of Olympians Mark Schultz and Dave Schultz, and the wealthy John du Pont who hired them.

The film opens gracefully, showing how stark and near depressing our main character’s (Mark Scultz) life is, even after the fact that he won a gold Olympic medal; this makes it all the more brilliant when Scultz is dropped straight into the bleak world of John du Pont.

Alas, there is a much greater thing to behold in “Foxcatcher:” the revolutionary, transforming, and career-defining acting. While all three lead performances are meticulously crafted, the best (and most defining) of them all is Steve Carell’s.

What is Steve Carell known for? He’s typically the funny, silly, and lovably-ignorant character featured in such works as “The Office.”

Keep that image in your mind; now, flip it around. That is the performance linked to du Pont.

Carell’s ratty, leech-like, and overall ill performance perfectly portrays the true scent of his character. He often didn’t even socialize with his fellow co-workers while on set, a complete 180 degrees of his normal personality.

Although, I still have to pay my respects to Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo’s acting; both underwent extreme physical transformations for their heavy-duty roles. Tatum, in particular, received the most beatings, of which included his eardrum popping from a slap, and him getting so into his role that he smashed his head into a mirror.

9/10- Not only does “Foxcatcher” boast a brilliantly made screenplay, but it also houses some of the best performances of 2014.