Briefly explain how the movie Foxcatcher benefited from casting against type
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: The ideal answer should include:
1. Casting against type can produce some disastrous outcomes, but also, on occasion, some surprisingly fresh results, as it did in Foxcatcher.
2. Lead actors Channing Tatum and Steve Carell are best known—and best loved—as comic performers, but like most ambitious actors, however, they resent being pigeonholed into one category, and have expanded their range through such off-beat roles as those in this film.
3. The story is based on the notorious events surrounding millionaire John du Pont’s efforts to coach a group of aspiring Olympic wrestlers. His prime candidate for glory is Mark Schultz (Tatum).
4. Both actors were required to rein in their considerable personal charm, since the story culminates in a psychotic homicide that landed du Pont in prison for the rest of his life.
5. Casting against type like this helped Bennett Miller win the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival, and helped land the movie on many Top Ten lists of the year.