The Smashing Machine
- Ben Pivoz
- Oct 4
- 3 min read
The Smashing Machine is a biopic as character study about an MMA fighter who battled substance abuse and a toxic relationship as he competed for between-the-ropes success. Mark Kerr isn’t an inherently fascinating subject. Based on this portrayal, he is a nice guy, a bit soulful, a skilled grappler who didn’t have much of a purpose outside of the ring. It is an intriguing enough story, focusing mostly on his drive and amiability, while shedding surprisingly little light on his demons.
This isn’t the traditional rise, fall, rise again sports formula. There aren’t any big dramatic beats. It isn’t a crowd-pleaser. Writer/director/editor Benny Safdie doesn’t let his audience get into Mark Kerr’s head. We only see him externally, never getting the opportunity to know him on a deeply personal level. That is not a flaw of The Smashing Machine because that is not what Safdie is attempting to do. It is a detached character study with a strong central performance. It is pretty good, even if it isn’t the most entertaining sports movie.
The story takes place from 1997 to 2000, as Mark Kerr begins to make his name in the fledgling world of Mixed Martial Arts, first in the Ultimate Fighting Championships, then in Japan’s Pride Fighting Championships. It looks at his friendship with fellow fighter Mark Coleman and tempestuous romance with high-maintenance Dawn.
The most talked about aspect of The Smashing Machine (117 minutes, without the end credits) is the transformation of Dwayne Johnson into this role. Wearing significant makeup and tamping down his charisma for a soft-spoken performance, he is very good. This is obviously his “I’m a real actor, not just a movie star” departure and it is convincing. Kerr comes off here as almost child-like at times, sweet and vulnerable, while also being physically imposing and potentially extremely dangerous.
His addiction definitely comes from his profession; it makes sense that someone in his line of work would use painkillers, possibly to the point of abusing them. However, it could also be signs of mental illness. Was he depressed? That is vaguely suggested yet never explored. He does seem to think Dawn’s emotional neediness has something to do with it. There is a self-destructive side to her that doesn’t really spread to him. He loves her, genuinely, and lets her take care of him. There is a co-dependency there that is interesting.
Dawn is played by Emily Blunt in a role that doesn’t totally take advantage of her talent. Dawn likes Mark when he’s using because he needs her. When he is clean and in control of his life, he needs a partner, not a caretaker. That makes her feel useless, creating massive conflict between them. Blunt is mainly used as the nagging girlfriend here, which is disappointing since there is clearly a lot more going on with the character than the screenplay allows for. Blunt has a couple of captivating scenes with Johnson that capture how confused and helpless Kerr was when it came to anything besides his sport.
The Smashing Machine is based on the 2002 documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr. Benny Safdie has filmed it in an intimate way that is kind of like a documentary. The camera is kept at medium distance, as though the viewer is in the room, observing. Even the MMA battles are seen from just outside the ring, so the participants are visible, but not much else. We aren’t Mark Kerr. We are his friends, trying to understand him, while ultimately not being able to get close enough to truly get what makes him tick. It is a subversive approach and makes for a compelling, if not always purely enjoyable, movie.
3½ out of 5
Cast:
Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr
Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples
Ryan Bader as Mark Coleman
Bas Rutten as Bas
Directed/Written by Benny Safdie
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