Review: The Smashing Machine

Image courtesy of A24.

 
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is not a topic that particularly captures my interest - in other words, I'm not that intrigued by the sport - but Benny Safdie's "The Smashing Machine" compelled me due to its performances and the fact that it doesn't take the typical sports biopic approach.

Sports-themed films are often framed around a particular moment of success for an athlete. We watch them in their early days and are privy to numerous training sessions until they finally arrive at a particular challenge and, typically, rise above it to achieve some form of glory. Safdie's film isn't interested in that, although the picture is seemingly compelled by the UFC and its violent form of fighting.

In an attention-seeking move, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has been cast as mixed martial artist Mark Kerr who, along with friend and fellow fighter Mark Coleman (portrayed by mixed martial artist Ryan Bader), apparently made a big impact on the sport. Of course, The Rock started his career in the wrestling world and this film is one of the rare chances of watching him take on a more dramatic role, rather than the blockbuster type of action movies in which he typically stars.

And without a doubt, Johnson impresses in this film, while costar Emily Blunt is equally strong in her portrayal of Kerr's wife, Dawn. Yes, there are numerous scenes of people being beaten to a pulp while participating in this violent sport, but the goings-on behind the scenes in the Kerr household were just as brutal, albeit of a psychological nature.

In the beginning, Kerr is undefeated, but suffers a bruise to his ego after losing a match that he believes was the result of a bad call by a referee. The combination of the steroids he's taking along with opioids for pain relief lead to a struggle with addiction. Added to the mix is his volatile relationship with Dawn. During the first half of the picture, it's easier to sympathize with Dawn, who seemingly gives up many things in life for Kerr's sport, while later in the picture he becomes more the voice of reason.

So, when I describe "The Smashing Machine" as sort of an anti-sports biopic, it's because there's an equal amount of attention paid to the domestic drama and drug abuse as there is the training for and participation in the sport. In many ways, this makes the film unique to its genre. 

It also helps that the leads are strong. Johnson proves that he is more than stunt casting in the role, portraying Kerr as a soft spoken guy who occasionally bursts into episodes of violence - ripping a door off its hinges during one scene - when frustrated. Blunt portrays Dawn as quasi-sympathetic and reasonable but, at other times, high maintenance. Bader also acquits himself well as Coleman, who starts as Kerr's trainer but eventually makes a successful return to the ring.

The Safdie Brothers often make gritty films about characters on the edge - the Robert Pattinson vehicle "Good Times" and the bleak "Uncut Gems," which is the brothers' most successful venture - and "The Smashing Machine" (directed by Benny, while Josh has "Marty Supreme" releasing later this year) is certainly in that wheelhouse. On the whole, it's a solid sports drama bolstered by impressive performances.