Why Foxcatcher Has 3 of This Year's Best Performances

Tatum, who may be better known for movies like Magic Mike and Step Up, has turned in lesser-known but excellent performances in movies like A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints. But as wrestler Mark Schultz, an Olympic gold medalist whose life has become lonely and bleak, he delivers his finest performance. He projects deep insecurity despite his successes, and Tatum even carries himself differently, both as an expression of Mark's desolation and his portrayal of a wrestler (Tatum also trained for months). Variety praised his turn, writing, "Tatum delivers what is easily the most emotionally complex performance of his career, hulking through much of the picture exuding rage, surliness and disappointment." The Atlantic was also impressed, saying, "Tatum, in particular, is a revelation as an emotionally fragile soul stuck in the body of a brute."

Ruffalo plays Dave Schultz, the more successful, confident, and ultimately happier sibling who casts a large shadow over brother Mark. Ruffalo, despite being 12 years older than the real Dave, fits into his character like a custom suit. It's an impressive performance, though not altogether surprising, since Ruffalo proves time and time again to be a dependably excellent actor. The Hollywood Reporter also praised Ruffalo's affable performance: "As the older and exceptionally capable older brother, Ruffalo bestows his character with a profoundly genial nature that suggests that no one could possibly dislike this guy."

There are three fantastic performances in this film, but the most affecting and surprising is Steve Carell's. It would be jarring to remember that this is the same man who played Michael Scott — if you could even recognize him. His facial prosthetics (especially a pronounced nose) and totally different voice and accent obscure the Carell you know and love. As John du Pont, a wealthy benefactor who becomes obsessed with the Schultz brothers, Carell is chilling and so, so good. How good? Variety called him a lock for a best actor nomination back at Cannes.