Trailer Link

Release Date:

November 14, 2014

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “Based on the true story of Mark Schultz, an Olympic wrestler whose relationship with sponsor John du Pont and brother Dave Schultz would lead to unlikely circumstances.”

Poster: A- / C / C+ / B-

Review: (#1) While the first design takes something of a cue from the poster design for Nebraska, it is an interesting piece that requires focused inspection to find all the details. That’s a good sign. (#2) The second poster, however, does precisely what too many others do: attempt to sell of the film’s star. Why is there not a poster of Mark Ruffalo or Steve Carell? Channing Tatum may be the central focus of the film, but this type of design should be reserved for character posters, not primaries.

(#3) Similar to the second design, we’re given a character poster for Carell’s character. His visage and stature alone are a bit creepy, which adds to the mysterious aesthetic being hinted at in the trailers.

(#4) Pulling all of the characters together is a welcome decision, though it barely improves on the prior designs, sticking with a theme that works albeit minimally.

Trailer: B+ / B+ / C / B+

Review: An intense drama starring the typically comical Steve Carell could make for an interesting movie. That he’s presented as something of an egomaniacal villain only enhances that perception. The trailer does a good job positioning this film as a movie for adults that could have the type of dramatic fireworks that make the Academy stand up and take notice.

(#2) Another chilling trailer design that sets this film up a a fascinating glimpse into dark rivalry, passionate overindulgence and the unflinching desire to win at all costs. There’s even a disturbing visual left at the end of the trailer that sits with the audience long after this trailer is simply a memory.

(#3) As unnerving as the prior trailers were, the third one tries to entirely focus on the frustrated and emotionless Steve Carell. This attempt fails as the film loses much of its mysterious appeal and makes it seem like a much less interesting film to give a whirl.

(#4) With the anomalous third trailer taken out of the equation, this is the most solidly-built series of trailers a film has generated in some time. They are compelling without being offensive or maudlin.

Oscar Prospects:

Two feature films. Two Oscar nominations for Best Picture. Capote was his first outing in the Best Picture race and his film came away with one Oscar for Philip Seymour Hoffman’s performance. It was also nominated in Supporting Actress (Catherine Keener), Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Six years later, Moneyball did that film one better picking up six nominations. It didn’t win anything, but it was nominated for two acting awards, Best Editing, Sound Mixing and Best Adapted Screenplay. If that pattern holds steady, a Best Picture nomination, two acting nominations and a screenwriting nomination (while this is his first original screenplay, it’s co-written by Capote scribe Dan Futterman, which is an added benefit) are pretty certain. If it can tick up one to seven nominations, I wouldn’t be surprised.

Revisions:

(August 17, 2014) Original
(September 21, 2014) New Trailer (#2) / New Poster (#3)
(October 19, 2014) New Trailer (#3)
(November 2, 2014) New Trailer (#4) / New Poster (#4)

Additional Posters

Poster #2Poster #3Poster #4