The Smashing Machine movie review: Written, edited and directed by Benny Safdie, one half of the Safdie brothers, The Smashing Machine is based on a critically well-received documentary that captured the ups and downs, including the drug addiction, of one of the world’s first mixed martial arts champions, Mark Kerr. Well-acted, well-intentioned and A24’s latest, The Smashing Machine is neither up up nor down down. If the difference between winning and losing is described at one place in the movie as that between a flashlight that is being waved around and a laser blade that is focused on a spot, The Smashing Machine would fall in the former category. It skims too many surfaces for us to get under the skin of any. That is sad because Dwayne Johnson gives it his all, from every sinew of his sculpted body to going unrecognisable under prosthetics, for the role of Kerr – his best in a long career of playing either action stars or low-key comedy ones. The overwhelming hulk of Johnson – emphasised to startling effect, when he is flying on a plane or riding a sports car – makes him stand out even among other colleagues in the ring. This includes Ryan Bader, a professional fighter himself, who plays another real-life character, Mark Coleman, Kerr’s closest buddy as well as rival. In contrast to his seemingly indestructible body are Johnson’s unguarded eyes, which give a glimpse of the storm that Kerr is holding in. You fear for his girlfriend Dawn (Emily Blunt) as the dynamics of their unequal but predictable relationship becomes clear. But, while volatile, Kerr is never violent towards her. Safdie would have done well to explore Kerr’s relationship with Dawn, whom the wrestler needs but also resents for what she demands in return, and whom he blatantly excludes from professional fighting’s clique of alpha men. Blunt is a wonderful actor and, even in the few scenes that she gets, conveys her awareness of the precipitous situation she has in Kerr’s life. However, in the film, this complicated relationship is little more than a by-the-way. Also Read | Caught Stealing movie review: Darren Aronofsky film has more bark than bite The other meaningful relationship Kerr has is with Coleman, whose loyalty to his friend despite their rivalry is genuine and warm. Not a professional actor, Bader brings a low-key energy to Coleman that, perhaps unintentionally, lends more honesty to his love for Kerr. A possible clash between the two, with their different approaches to life and living, could have been the other jumping point for The Smashing Machine. But it doesn’t lift itself enough, and so this sports film lacks even that one centrepiece fight on which its heart hangs. The Smashing Machine movie director: Benny Safdie The Smashing Machine movie cast: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader The Smashing Machine movie rating: 2.5 stars
