In The Smashing Machine, there is a long shot of the camera following Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) walking back to the locker room. As we follow behind him, we see his posture slowly start to change as he gets into an elevator. Throughout the entire 5-plus minutes, we do not see his face, but we see how his demeanor slowly changes. This is one of the many moments where Johnson disappears in his role and shows he can excel in this art form if given the right material.
The Smashing Machine follows the life of Mark Kerr from 1997 to 2000. In these years, we see how Mark dominates in mixed martial arts fighting and the effect it has on his relationship with Dawn (Emily Blunt). Dawn is the supportive girlfriend, but as the movie progresses, we see how her role changes the dynamic between Mark and his training. These moments are where the movie really shines, and the acting between the two leads transcends.
While Johnson physically looks like himself in the role of Kerr, his persona and mannerisms are what set him apart from previous roles. Johnson talks with a gentle tone that is relaxing and opposite of his in-ring presence. The term “gentle giant” came to mind as he talks to an older lady in the waiting room of the doctor’s office or signs an autograph for a young boy. These small moments give you an insight into the person that Kerr is and show that he is not a one-sided character.
The movie focuses on his rise in Pride fighting and how Mark and his trainer and best friend, Mark Coleman (Ryan Bader), support one another. Bader, in his first acting role, holds his own against Johnson and, through his character, shines a light on the friendships between these fighters. Coleman is there for Mark in his worst times and cheers for his friend even when it looks like they may face each other in the ring.
While The Smashing Machine gives us a good look into the life of Mark Kerr, it does speed through his time in rehab. If the audience had been shown Mark going through withdrawal and overcoming his addictions, that might have made the final act a little bit stronger. Seeing Mark struggle to stay clean while Dawn parties and drinks around him is uncomfortably funny at times, but also very tragic. You don’t know if you should be laughing at this, but the tension between the two makes you giggle to escape the seriousness of the moment. The one moment that brings their conflict to a resolution is a relief, but also very shocking.
As a biography, The Smashing Machine does a good job of giving us the moments that made Mark Kerr a force to be reckoned with. The fight scenes are brutal but also feel like a dance between the two fighters. The jazz score by Nala Sinephro enhances the improvisation of the fights but may be distracting to some. The score works perfectly in some scenes but not quite well in others. Again, The Smashing Machine gives us a great snapshot of a period in Mark Kerr’s life and ends on a fun note that breaks the third wall.
Final Thoughts: The Smashing Machine is an intense look into the world of Pride, MMA fighting through the lens of Mark Kerr. Within the 3 years we follow Mark, we see the highs and lows of his career and relationship. Dwayne Johnson disappears in the role and gives the performance of a lifetime. Emily Blunt’s character is tragic and captivating. The score enhances certain moments but also feels distracting at times.
Violence: The movie is filled with close-up images of fights between Mark and his opponents. The relationship between Mark and Dawn is often intense and manipulative. There are close-ups of cuts being stitched together that are pretty graphic.
Kid-Friendly: The movie is rated R for violence and drug use. While the story of Mark Kerr is compelling, some of the fight scenes are too brutal for younger children. If your kids are fans of The Rock, this might not be the movie for them.
The story of legendary mixed martial arts & UFC fighter Mark Kerr.