If you’re wondering what that tingling sensation you just felt might be, it’s the Oscar campaign for "Foxcatcher" ramping up, and right at the center is a transformative performance by Steve Carell. He plays oddball millionaire John du Pont, whose desire to train the next gold medal winning Olympic wrestling team meets with tragedy. And it was a role in a film based on a true story that found the actor visiting a dark side previously unknown to the general public.
“Once I was in full makeup and trying to sort of emulate du Pont’s vocal patterns, people were more reserved around me, on and off the set. I don’t want to sound precious or pretentious about being in character all the time. But I hadn’t anticipated how much it would draw me away physically and emotionally from everyone else," he told Vulture. "Frankly, I’m glad we filmed out of town. The transition from that to being with my family would be … well, I don’t like to bring stuff like that home.”
Carell is central to this new trailer, and you can see the results of that focused intensity. It’s a film that has already been met with immense praise out of the Cannes Film Festival (where it earned Bennett Miller a prize for Best Director) and it’s one whose acclaim will only get stronger (read our review).
"Foxcatcher" opens November 14th.