Documentary/Biopic Dwayne Johnson To Play MMA Fighter Mark Kerr In A24 Benny Safdie’s ‘The Smashing Machine’

[Pennywise]

 

[Deck Rickard]

I need the Rock to never win an Oscar just so I never have to say the words “the Rock won an Oscar.”

 

[blueharvest]

I need the Rock to never win an Oscar just so I never have to say the words “the Rock won an Oscar.”

What about a BAFTA?

 

[Deck Rickard]

What about a BAFTA?

Honestly, **** him. I’m sick of seeing actors who aren’t really that good get celebrated for one decent performance after decades of mediocrity. But it’s more than that. Between all his bull**** trying to take over the DC universe a little while ago just because he lost a fight to a Superman action figure as a kid to all his “franchise viagra” nonsense with other movie series to his stupid complaints about “woke” people last year during the election, I’m just honestly sick of the guy. So now he slaps some Tom Jones prosthetics on his face and wants me to take him more seriously than the Red Notice guy just because the Safdies like to prove bad actors can occasionally turn out good performances in indie films. Not interested in seeing his career rehab.

 

[blueharvest]

 

[Drizzle]

I need the Rock to never win an Oscar just so I never have to say the words “the Rock won an Oscar.”

I'm expecting a Sylvester Stallone in Creed situation here if he's nominated. "You've got a place at the table but you didn't actually think you'd win, did you?"

 

[Kane52630]

Honestly, **** him. I’m sick of seeing actors who aren’t really that good get celebrated for one decent performance after decades of mediocrity. But it’s more than that. Between all his bull**** trying to take over the DC universe a little while ago just because he lost a fight to a Superman action figure as a kid to all his “franchise viagra” nonsense with other movie series to his stupid complaints about “woke” people last year during the election, I’m just honestly sick of the guy. So now he slaps some Tom Jones prosthetics on his face and wants me to take him more seriously than the Red Notice guy just because the Safdies like to prove bad actors can occasionally turn out good performances in indie films. Not interested in seeing his career rehab.

How @Deck Rickard wants to see him go out:

 

[blueharvest]

 

[Sithborg]

Honestly, **** him. I’m sick of seeing actors who aren’t really that good get celebrated for one decent performance after decades of mediocrity. But it’s more than that. Between all his bull**** trying to take over the DC universe a little while ago just because he lost a fight to a Superman action figure as a kid to all his “franchise viagra” nonsense with other movie series to his stupid complaints about “woke” people last year during the election, I’m just honestly sick of the guy. So now he slaps some Tom Jones prosthetics on his face and wants me to take him more seriously than the Red Notice guy just because the Safdies like to prove bad actors can occasionally turn out good performances in indie films. Not interested in seeing his career rehab.

Well, he sort of has to do a pivot now. Because he can't do the roids anymore...

 

[OrbOfConfusion]

This didn't occur to me until after watching the film, but I got strong Foxcatcher vibes from just how tense and anxiety-filled this movie was at times. Easily Dwayne Johnson's best performance, and Emily Blunt really comes to life in the film's second half especially. Even when in the film, Mark Kerr looks a lot more like how Johnson looks now, he looks just slightly different enough in the same way that Jim Carrey did as Colonel Stars and Stripes in Kick-Ass 2.

Very good film, and you really feel the impact of each punch, kick, and especially knee to the face.

 

[theastsunnn]

Heard this movie is bombing. This is why I was a big fan of the rock starring in all that he could for his run, because you never know when your time is up at the top.

 

[Drizzle]

Even if Johnson was as popular at the box office as he was 10 years ago, I couldn't see this doing that much better. UFC is pretty niche and Mark Kerr's peak popularity was over 20 years ago. This always seemed like more of an awards bait movie than a blockbuster anyway.

 

[Hurm...]

It's not doing well at the box office -- who cares?

The film is presented with such a documentary style, grounded approach, it's not meant to be a big people pleaser of a film. It's a very vulnerable, difficult-to-watch movie. It was never going to be this big hit.

This was a beautifully moving film. I always felt like I was a 'fly on the wall' of this man's life. Nothing rang false or untrue -- especially in its performances. This felt more like the Safdies' "Heaven Knows What" than "Good Time" or "Uncut Gems." You really felt the sense of isolation between Kerr and his wife, even in the scenes where they were together. It's such an affecting film, this isn't the type of film that will bring audiences in droves.

 

[Mani-Man]

Even if Johnson was as popular at the box office as he was 10 years ago, I couldn't see this doing that much better. UFC is pretty niche and Mark Kerr's peak popularity was over 20 years ago. This always seemed like more of an awards bait movie than a blockbuster anyway.

A movie about a semi Popular UFC fighter doesnt strike me as a blockbuster, so nobody should have expected that.
There was no way this would have made big money considering a lot of people dont know who it is about and the fact that UFC has lost a lot of mainstream appeal over the last few years.

 

[Joe Von Zombie]

This didn't occur to me until after watching the film, but I got strong Foxcatcher vibes

Haven't seen the film but that makes sense. Mark Kerr did train there and was friends with the victim.

 

[OrbOfConfusion]

It's not doing well at the box office -- who cares?

The film is presented with such a documentary style, grounded approach, it's not meant to be a big people pleaser of a film. It's a very vulnerable, difficult-to-watch movie. It was never going to be this big hit.

This was a beautifully moving film. I always felt like I was a 'fly on the wall' of this man's life. Nothing rang false or untrue -- especially in its performances. This felt more like the Safdies' "Heaven Knows What" than "Good Time" or "Uncut Gems." You really felt the sense of isolation between Kerr and his wife, even in the scenes where they were together. It's such an affecting film, this isn't the type of film that will bring audiences in droves.

I swear you're reading my mind, because I had similar thoughts while watching the movie. From the way it's filmed and directed, it's like you're peeking in on these inner moments between the characters.

 

[blueharvest]