Foxcatcher

Based on true events, Oscar-nominee Bennett Miller's chilling crime drama centers on the ultimately tragic relationship between John Eleuthére du Pont, a delusional, eccentric multi-millionaire, and two freestyle wrestling champions. Brothers Mark (Channing Tatum) and Dave (Mark Ruffalo) Schultz are preparing for the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics when they catch the attention of lonely, socially inept, 57-year-old du Pont (Steve Carell), a wrestling aficionado who lives on Foxcatcher Farm, a 416-acre horse-racing compound on Philadelphia's Main Line, owned by his imperious mother (Vanessa Redgrave). Impressed by the du Pont wealth (stemming from the world's largest chemical company), taciturn 27-year-old Mark becomes John's protégé, submitting to the strict discipline and isolation enforced by his benefactor/surrogate father, who is a passionate patriot, philatelist, and ornithologist. But Mark realizes that the training he needs can only come from his older brother Dave, who is initially reluctant to uproot his wife (Sienna Miller) and two children from Colorado to the Valley Forge area. Eventually, not only Dave but also the entire U.S. Olympic wrestling team makes Foxcatcher Farm their state-of-the-art headquarters…until one, ill-fated night. A sorrowful, sordid tale featuring fine Oscar-nominated performances by Carell and Ruffalo, this is recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include “The Story” behind-the-scenes featurette (17 min.), deleted scenes (5 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a bonus UltraViolet copy of the film. Bottom line: a decent extras package for this Best Picture nominee.] (S. Granger)