Alex Reviews "The Smashing Machine"

For the first time in what I think might be ever, Dwayne Johnson has starred in a movie. Before anyone takes umbrage with that statement, I would point out that everything prior were variations of The Rock. Fun, silly, good, bad, all variations of his wrestling persona. So how funny is it that while he portrays a wrestler turned MMA legend, this wrestler turned actor stepped into his own.

Johnson embodies the titular role of The Smashing Machine. Following Mark Kerr’s abrupt rise and fall as one of the original mixed martial arts godfathers during the late 1990s and into the new millennium, we are given a very intimate look at the mental, physical, and emotional struggles for not only a fighting pioneer, but one deeply connected to the sport in both main hubs of the United States and Japan.

This was absolutely the best performance of Johnson’s career though I am unsure whether it is an award worthy performance or just such a drastic step up for the actor. While I do not want to diminish it, I feel that the Oscar cries being shouted need to tap the brakes. He might not even be the best wrestler turned actor performance in the picture.

Similar to 2011’s Warrior, where Joel Edgerton was meant to be the star before Tom Hardy exploded, Ryan Bader absolutely commands the screen in his limited exposure during his first role. It almost played out bizarrely since the movie focuses on Johnson as Kerr, but Bader as Coleman is the unquestioned hero of the story.

Benny Safdie definitely made some strong choices with the presentation and story for The Smashing Machine, but his biggest success is in the disappearance of the screen. Shooting from a documentary style while staying as true to timeframe as possible commanded the audience not only be a viewer but to feel a participation investment in the picture. While nitpicks exist everywhere, there is no questioning the commitment to this picture from the team.

Perfectly complimenting Safdie’s attentiveness to the world was the makeup department. Every single one of them from the prosthetic team to hair to makeup all committed to the appearance and completely nailed it!

While The Smashing Machine might not be the most interesting film you’ll see this year, it is definitely worth the time machine experience it gives you if you have fond memories from the start of the 2000s. Otherwise, watch for the brilliant production.