#5: Mark Schultz Condemned the Film’s Implications About His Relationship With John du Pont — Foxcatcher (2014)
Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz initially cooperated with Foxcatcher, but his reaction became far more hostile when he saw how certain elements of his relationship with millionaire John du Pont could be interpreted. Schultz fiercely rejected any suggestion of a sexual relationship between the two men and publicly attacked director Bennett Miller over what he believed the film implied. His objections became particularly intense because the movie relies heavily on atmosphere, uncomfortable physical proximity, and psychological suggestion rather than explicit explanations. Schultz later moderated some of his criticism and praised aspects of the production, including Steve Carell’s transformation into du Pont. Even so, his initial response illustrated a recurring problem with biographical filmmaking: implication can be as powerful as an invented factual event.
