REVIEW: ‘The Smashing Machine’ Delivers a Punch in More Ways Than One
“The Smashing Machine” Mark Kerr was a pioneer in the world of MMA and UFC. Starting his career in the early 90s’, Kerr would eventually retire from fighting in 2009. Leaving behind quite the legacy, A24 and indie director, Benny Safdie, are bringing his story to the big screen in their new pic, The Smashing Machine.
Based on the 2002 documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr, Safdie is tasked with bringing to life an athlete that was of vital importance to the early days MMA. However, if this story was just a sports film on the start of MMA, the film would be right up there with the greats. However, it is not. It’s focus is on a 3 year span of Mark Kerr’s career, the personal struggles he faces during this period. It’s this part Kerr’s story where director and writer, Benny Safdie loses the audience. Safdie merely touches on Kerr’s struggles with addiction and relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn (Emily Blunt). By limiting the story to just a 3 year time span, he never is able to dig into the whys and the hows of the story. Why is it necessary for Kerr to continue fighting, how did Kerr’s addiction start, why did Benny stay with Dawn, how was his time in rehab, etc…Instead, Safdie focuses on the fighting and the precious moments before and after the match. Important moments for a sports movie, but longwinded for a biopic.
Dwayne Johnson steps into a different kind of ring with this performance. It’s a different, and overall competent performance, that showcases Johnson’s talent. For those who have known Johnson since his WWE days, the moments Kerr enters the octagon, it’s hard to not see The Rock, no matter how much makeup Johnson is wearing. There is one particular scene about 3/4th of the way through the film where all you see if The Rock instead of Mark Kerr. However, even with the minor moments, it is the outside of the ring scenes that truly showcase Johnson’s talent for the dramatics that has been overshadowed by his action comedies.
Emily Blunt steps in as Kerr’s girlfriend, Dawn, and once again proves why she has so many acting accolades. Her performance is gritty and raw. The relationship between Kerr and Dawn is not as fleshed out as I would have liked, but it is clearly one built on toxicity and obsession. The both have a need to be taken care of, and Blunt does a wonderful job of displaying this chaos and insecurity with her performance.
In his first ever acting role, American mixed martial artist, Ryan Bader, does an admirable job as Mark Coleman. His scenes with Johnson help carry Johnson’s performance while also showcasing the importance Coleman had in the world of MMA. Like the relationship between Dawn and Kerr, Coleman and Kerr’s relationship isn’t fleshed out enough. There is no backstory to their relationship, so the audience can’t fully buy in to the relationship playing out on screen.
The Smashing Machine is filled with great performances, that could have been made even better with a more balanced story. The film has the meat, but no condiments or sides to help round out what should have been a great meal.
Grade: B-