A brilliantly unsettling film telling the true story of the ill-fated relationship between a pair of Olympic wrestling champion brothers (Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo) and their multi-millionaire benefactor (Steve Carell)
A brilliantly unsettling film telling the true story of the ill-fated relationship between a pair of Olympic wrestling champion brothers (Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo) and their multi-millionaire benefactor (Steve Carell).
Insecure despite his gold-medal success at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Tatum's Mark Schultz feels overshadowed by his older brother, confident family man Dave (Ruffalo), and jumps at the chance when filthy rich eccentric John du Pont (a superbly creepy Carell) offers to take him under his wing at the wrestling training camp he has set up at his sprawling country estate.
Du Pont has delusional ideas of himself as an inspirational coach and patriot, but his interventions in the brothers' lives has tragic consequences. Anchored by three superb performances - Carell and Ruffalo were both Oscar-nominated but Tatum is equally impressive - this excellent movie pins the viewer to the mat with its emotionally bruising tale of class, ambition and the pursuit of sporting excellence.
