The Smashing Machine inspired me to come up with a new term: an IKEA movie, where all the parts are there but you have to assemble them yourself instead of being able to sit back and enjoy a fully formed narrative. The film features a fabulous performance by Dwayne Johnson, a powerful message about the pressures that men face and how they handle them, and a look at the early days of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. All elements are present, but I had to piece them together myself, as it's not much of a movie.
Benny Safdie takes on the roles of writer, director, and editor in this film. However, his lack of experience in editing is evident, especially in the opening credits, where his pacing feels messy due to a lack of material to work with. Neither Dwayne Johnson nor Benny Safdie seems suited for creating an artistic mood piece. Unlike Uncut Gems, which succeeded thanks to its manic energy and Adam Sandler's performance, this film lacks the narrative strength to pull through.
A24 also produced "Marty Supreme" this year, a film with a similar energy, where Timothée Chalamet echoes Adam Sandler's dynamic presence from Uncut Gems. However, both films are vying for awards from the same studio, which might lead to one being overshadowed.
Dwayne Johnson's performance is commendable, yet he produced the film himself through his company, Seven Bucks, which might affect his awards prospects as it lacks an uplifting narrative of external recognition. Despite this, I plan to vote for him at Critics Choice Awards, as he gives a particularly compelling performance towards the film's conclusion.
Issues arise from casting choices, such as Ryan Bader's lackluster acting performance, which detracts from Johnson's efforts. Despite this, Emily Blunt counterbalances as an excellent scene partner, though her character is somewhat one-dimensional.
The film's portrayal of brutal early wrestling and mixed martial arts scenes is another highlight, showing the vulnerability and struggles athletes faced. Its message about male pressures and loneliness resonates deeply, providing insight into male psyche challenges.
Despite mixed elements, The Smashing Machine is worth a watch for Dwayne Johnson's acting and its thoughtful exploration of wrestling's history and men's emotional struggles. The film releases on October 3rd and enters the awards race.