The Rock smashes this performance
The Smashing Machine proves why the Rock became an actor
Dwayne Johnson as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in A24's "The Smashing Machine." (Photo Courtesy of A24 Films LLC)
"The Smashing Machine" tells the heartbreaking story of Mark Kerr, played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and his struggles with his career and home life. Directed by Benny Safdie ("Uncut Gems"), the film takes the audience through the career of Mark Kerr and his rise to fame in the early 1990s through MMA wrestling, opioid addiction and the trials of being a husband.
But is the movie King of the Ring, or does it get flattened by the pressure?
I'm not a huge wrestling fan, so I went into this movie pretty blind, knowing only a few basic facts about Mark Kerr. I was pleasantly surprised with what I watched, but I do have some issues.
This movie is Johnson's golden goose, as this is his best performance in a movie by far. He disappears into the role of Mark Kerr through some great makeup and some great emotional acting. I really felt the pain Kerr was dealing with in his life, and his performance moved me. Emily Blunt ("A Quiet Place") is also great as Dawn Staples, Kerr's wife. Her performance was raw and gut-wrenching, and you can see where the cracks in their relationship tore them apart.
All the fights in the movie are brutal and realistic. I was impressed with the filming and the intensity of the matches shown in the movie. All of them will have you on the edge of your seat. Safdie's documentary style of directing is eye-catching and really makes you feel you are a part of the action.
Unfortunately for this film, it has a few unforgivable flaws, the biggest being a huge pacing and narrative issue.
There are a lot of filler sequences that don't add anything to the plot. An example of this is some interview scenes that feel like they could have been taken out.
I also felt like Blunt's character is severely underutilized and underdeveloped. For someone as important as Mark Kerr's wife, she barely gets the spotlight. The movie heavily relies on Safdie's specific directing vibe and style rather than focusing on the story of Kerr and his struggles.
Overall, this is a great film to see Johnson act his keister off. Otherwise, I'd advise waiting until streaming for this one. I'd give the film a 7/10.
Carter Salley is Central Michigan Life's resident film reviewer and co-host of the pop culture podcast "Raving Geeks." He is majoring in media arts.
