In the late 1990s, the mixed martial arts competition formed, eventually morphing into the popular UFC fighting we know of today. In those early days, one of the standout fighters was Mark Kerr, and his pioneering efforts are the subject of the new A24 movie THE SMASHING MACHINE. Dwayne Johnson plays Kerr, a man who is clearly quite talented in the ring, but is suffering from addiction to pain medication. His girlfriend Dawn (Emily Blunt) is trying her best to be supportive, but isn’t sensitive to Mark’s efforts to go clean, and her party girl ways don’t help him stay focused even when he’s clearly trying to do the right thing. His friend and trainer Mark Coleman (Ryan Bader) is also seeing opportunities to shine in the ring, and may even lead to him competing directly against Kerr at some point. The competitions take Mark to Japan, where the sport is rising in popularity, but an unfair loss messes with Kerr’s head, and his determination to be the best takes him down a dark and desperate road.
Directed by Benny Safdie (of the Safdie Brothers), THE SMASHING MACHINE is shot in an almost documentary style, which effectively transports the audience into the events unfolding on screen. Dwayne Johnson is quite effective and engaging playing Mark Kerr, emulating his voice and mannerisms, and making great use of make up to alter his appearance just enough for him to disappear into the role at times. It’s a masterful take, and it really helps Johnson separate himself from some of the more comedic roles people have grown used to seeing him in. Emily Blunt is effectively frustrating as Dawn, the attention-hungry love interest for Kerr who doesn’t seem to know exactly how to be supportive for him, even when at times she’s really hoping to. It’s a complex relationship that feels doomed from the start, but it’s heartbreaking seeing them fall apart as emotions run high. Ryan Bader is really good playing Mark Coleman, a friend to Kerr who is clearly just as talented, and is only missing the chance to prove it.
This is a fascinating look into the sport of UFC / MMA before it broke big, but it’s also a bleak and at times depressing exercise in showing the reality of it all. I appreciate the fact it tries to portray things in an honest and unfiltered way, but it doesn’t always make for a satisfying cinematic experience. It also lacks a big climax for the ending, the story just sort of ends and leaves us with the hope that we’ll remember and know name like Mark Kerr, despite his legacy fading into history. I enjoyed the movie, and the performances are definitely worth watching, but it’s not a film I have much desire to revisit.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
