I love a movie that can prove me wrong.
I’ll be honest, I was hesitant to believe on the thrill that The Smashing Machine promised to be. A Benny Safdie directed film can be an anxiety inducing ride, and though this film does give you its fair share of anxiety; it’s actually all heart and vulnerability when you strip it to its core. A clear passion project for Dwayne Johnson, this may just become his vehicle that heads directly to the Oscars.
Dwayne Johnson plays UFC Hall of Fame fighter Mark Kerr at his fighting peak and while going through a tumultuous toxic relationship. Sure, it admittedly takes about 40 minutes to stop hearing Dwayne Johnson but when he does eventually disappear into the character, he forces you to lock fully into the film. I’ve never been able to take Dwayne Johnson seriously, the performative The Rock personality really overpowers any actual talent that he may be showcasing for me. Yet he found a way to leave that all behind for this role. He found vulnerability and played Kerr in such a tender way that you found yourself hoping it all works out for him in the end.
Emily fucking Blunt, is the way she should be announced as she enters any room moving forward. Blunt plays the eccentric, toxic and drop dead gorgeous Dawn Staples- Kerr in a career best performance. She plays Dawn in equal parts mesmerizing and frustrating, which makes her performance a thrilling watch. If you work through the toxicity with which the character operates in, you realize that Blunt found the heart within the character. She is moving in her portrayal and finds quiet moments to show us the humanity and ache within Dawn. Her entire performance is a masterclass in acting and for that and so much more, this movie is absolutely worth the watch.
A love letter to a fighter that gave so much of himself to entertain the general public. Mark Kerr was humble and humbled in this movie over and over again; a well-rounded man worthy of a magnificent film. You can find The Smashing Machine in theaters starting October 3.
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