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Acclaimed filmmaker Benny Safdie and A24 have delivered another hit with the new sports biopic, The Smashing Machine. Based on the HBO sports documentary of the same name, The Smashing Machine chronicles the emotional journey of mixed martial artist Mark Kerr (played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) as he rises to fame in the Pride Fighting Championships and struggles with his addiction to drugs.
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Few biopics look and feel as natural as The Smashing Machine. Safdie brings plenty of heart, grit, and authenticity into telling Kerr’s story in this film. The movie also features astounding performances from both Johnson and co-star Emily Blunt, who bring their characters and their chaotic journeys to life with incredible depth and realism.
An emotional, enthralling story
Taking place between the years 1997 and 2000, The Smashing Machine begins with Kerr’s first professional fight and then skips to his post-UFC career. The Smashing Machine doesn’t delve much into Kerr’s pre-fighting career, nor does it explore his relationship with his family. This could’ve added more depth to Kerr’s character and his impact on mixed martial arts.
Nevertheless, The Smashing Machine spends plenty of time exploring Kerr’s experiences with addiction, as he frequently tries to chase the “high of winning” as a fighter while also chasing highs from painkillers. It is after losing his first fight that Kerr’s ego crumbles and his addiction worsens, leading to a tear-jerking but uplifting journey.
Even after Mark gets out of rehab, his story is far from over. The Smashing Machine follows Mark as he fights to reclaim his glory as an athlete and maintain his sobriety. However, since Kerr’s girlfriend, Dawn Staples (Blunt), is also a substance abuser, great strain is put on their relationship, leading to some explosive confrontations and some much-needed time apart.
Kerr spent so long chasing the high of winning that, by the end, he finally learned to accept defeat. Kerr is born anew as his coach, Bas Rutten, pours his water bottle over his head like a baptism, and the doctor stitches up his wound.
A truly human cast of characters
The Rock pushes himself both in and out of the ring with his performance in The Smashing Machine. As Kerr, Johnson brings a warm and welcoming presence that hides a dark pain within himself. Kerr always tries to charm everyone and act like everything’s fine, despite his addiction. When Kerr nearly dies of an overdose, the floodgates inside him burst open, and the audience can feel his world shattering.
Emily Blunt’s performance as Dawn is just as raw and riveting. She also shares incredible chemistry with Johnson, which is expected after their previous collaboration on the movie Jungle Cruise.
Both Kerr and Staples bring plenty of drama with their clashing, deeply flawed personalities. Kerr is controlling and pedantic, taking issue with how Dawn prepares his milkshake and tends his cactus. Dawn, on the other hand, is needy for attention as Kerr prioritizes his fighting career and sobriety. She even admits that she liked Kerr more when he was taking drugs, as he was more attentive and needed her to take care of him.
The film glosses over Dawn’s return to Kerr’s life, as well as her road to recovery, which makes her character seem underdeveloped and their marriage feel unearned. Regardless, The Smashing Machine dedicates considerable time to exploring Dawn’s character and her personal struggles, presenting a well-rounded exploration of her and Kerr’s codependent relationship.
Kerr and Dawn share the same flaws, but Mark Coleman acts as a perfect foil to the former in this film. Although Kerr is hesitant about having kids and is more focused on fighting, Coleman is a loving husband and father who guides Kerr in the right direction throughout the story. Bader’s friendly chemistry with Johnson makes them even more believable as longtime pals.
An authentic, captivating style
Despite it being a film about mixed martial arts, The Smashing Machine isn’t meant to be an extravagant spectacle. It’s a slow, steady drama that focuses on more grounded realism as the film follows Kerr on his personal journey. Simply, the film emphasizes the man rather than the machine.
This is a far cry from the style of filmmaking seen in movies like Good Time and Uncut Gems. However, Safdie has proven with such films that he is a master of immersing audiences in tense, anxiety-inducing situations, as seen through the clashes between Johnson and Blunt.
Plenty of suspense is built as one of them seems like they could blow at any moment. Even when Dawn does something as simple as passing a knife to Kerr, the film raises fears in the audience about where the scene will go next.
Meanwhile, cinematographer Maceo Bishop replicates the documentary-style filmmaking of the source material, incorporating shaky camerawork and VHS camera shots to give the audience an immersive view of Kerr’s story. Overall, The Smashing Machine refrains from glamorizing the protagonist’s life as both a celebrity and a person with addiction, resulting in a realistic and tasteful recreation of Kerr’s experiences.
Additionally, composer Nala Sinephro’s jazz-infused score adds an unusual, surreal quality to the film that works surprisingly well with the narrative. The soft score is a sharp contrast with the violent scenes played out in the story. At the same time, the sound of drums and pianos playing in the background syncs well with the MMA fighters as they trade blows with each other, making The Smashing Machine a distinctive auditory experience.
Is The Smashing Machine worth a watch?
Fan or not, The Smashing Machine presents Johnson in a whole new light. In addition to his and Blunt’s outstanding performances, the movie presents a gritty yet inspiring tale of a person overcoming the odds to become a better version of themself.
With the unique approach Safdie and his team took in telling this story, The Smashing Machine presents a fresh piece of sports cinema that should be seen on the big screen.
The Smashing Machine is now playing in theaters.