View the new trailer for ‘The Smashing Machine’

Dwayne Johnson supplied some critics to mention his career-definating performance at the premiere of the Film Festival of Venice of ‘The Smashing Machine’, who deserved director Benny Safdie the Silver Lion for best director and early Oscar Buzz for the former Wrestar Superstar. View the brand new trailer here.

The A24 biographical dramawho describes the tumultuous life from mixed martial arts pioneer Mark Kerr, received a thunderous 15-minute permanent ovation in the world premiere of 1 September, making Johnson visibly emotional while the Lido audience broke out from sustainable applause. The enthusiastic reception of the film has positioned it as a serious Award -Competent prior to the Theatrical Release of 3 October.

The true story behind the machine

Mark Kerr emerged as one of the early legends of mixed martial arts in the late 1990s and earned the nickname “The Smashing Machine” because of his devastating ground and pound fighting style. Kerr was born in Toledo in 1968, Ohio and distinguished himself for the first time as a NCAA Division I Wrestling Champion before switching to the brutal world of non-starting fights.

Kerr’s professional MMA career started explosively in the world Vale Tudo Championship 3 in Brazil in January 1997, where he dominated three opponents to claim the tournament repair. His success caught the attention of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he became one of only five hunters who won several UFC tournaments. On UFC 14, Kerr conquered the heavyweight tournament by Moti Horenstein and then Bobish to beat in a combined four minutes of fighting. He followed this triumph on UFC 15 by demolishing Greg Stott and Dwayne Cason in just 70 seconds combined.

In addition to the UFC, Kerr established himself as an entry power and won four ADCC world championship titles in different weight classes and the absolute division. His transition to the Japanese Pride Fighting Championships saw him compete against Elite competition, including Igor Vovchanchyn, Kazuyuki Fujita and Enson Inoue.

The documentary it all started

The story of De Jager achieved the mainstream public for the first time via John Hyams’ much -praised HBO documentary from 2002 “The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr”. The documentary led to an infallible study by Kerr’s career peak between 1999 and 2001, in which he documented his fighting with pain killer addiction and the physical toll of competing in the early, more brutal era of the sport.

The original documentary trapped the vulnerability of Kerr behind his intimidating exterior and showed him that he asked drugs from friends and staff while struggling with the psychological trauma of repeated head injuries. This rough representation earned widespread criticism for his honest representation of the human costs of professional fighting.

The Smashing Machine

The adjustment of Benny Safdie transforms the documentary material into what critics describe as an art film disguised as a sports biopic. The director, who worked solo for the first time after years of collaboration with brother Josh, approached the material with what he called ‘radical empathy’. In his Silver Lion Acceptance speech, Safdie explained his vision: “If we can empathize with someone who seems invincible than we empathize with everyone”.

The film was recorded with the help of 16 mm and 70 mm IMAX cameras by cinematographer Maceo Bishop, making it the first A24 production filmed with IMAX technology. This technical approach creates what reviewers describe as a grim, documentary-like aesthetics that improves the rough emotional impact of the film.

The direction of Safdie deliberately avoids traditional sports film Beats, shuns typical heroic defeats or Pyrrhian victories in favor of a more contemplative character study. The score of experimental jazz musician Nala Sinefro has essential harps and soft saxophones, making an unexpected tender background for the brutal fighting sequences.

The transforming performance of the rock

Critics universal Johnson’s physical and emotional transformation praised for the role. The actor underwent a dramatic body change and in particular seemed slimmer than his typical Blockbuster -Body construction while he took Kerr’s ways and speech patterns. Proshetic work helped Johnson to disappear in the character, where many reviewers noticed his full departure of his established Schermentona.

Hollywood Reporter’s Jordan Mintzer described Johnson’s performance as his ‘most fascinating so far’, who pulled comparisons with Mickey Rourke’s Oscar-nominated turn in ‘The Wrestler’. Owen Gleiberman from Variety called it ‘transformative’, and noted that Johnson ‘seems to be a completely different actor’.

The role represents a calculated career spill for Johnson, who acknowledged that he has recognized himself through his action film success. During the Venice press conference, Johnson revealed his wish to explore deeper material: “I was very lucky to enjoy the career that I have had over the years and to make the films I have produced. However, there was this inner voice, a small voice that was wondering:” What if? What if I could do? I want to explore more “”.

Emily Blunt’s supporting performance

Emily Bot Delivers a compelling achievement like Dawn not, Kerr’s girlfriend during his career peak. Critics have praised her representation of a woman who balances compassion with exhaustion while living with someone who is able to self -destruction. Safdie worked closely with Blunt to take care of the voice and the presence of staples, kept weight for a moment in addition to the story of the film by men.

The chemistry between Johnson and Blunt has been emphasized as one of the emotional anchors of the film, where their relationship serves as the heart of exploring the story of vulnerability under power.

The success of Venice of the film has generated considerable speculation of the Awards season. Critics draw parallels with other premieres in Venice who have launched successful Oscar campaigns, in particular the emotional reception of Brendan Fraser for “The Whale” at the 2022 festival. Johnson’s 15-minute standing ovation corresponded to some of the most memorable moments of the festival, whereby the actor broken down in tears while the public continued their sustainable applause.

Variety’s Chief Awards -Editor Clayton Davis has publicly stated that Johnson represents a serious Oscar -Competent, which marks a potential first Academy Award -Nomination for the Action Star. The 94% rating of the film on Rotten Tomatoes and 79/100 score on metacritic support for the critical consensus on its quality.

A24 has positioned “The Smashing Machine” for a wide release of 3 October, timing that suggests the ambitions of the seasonal season. The marketing campaign of the studio has emphasized the dramatic transformation of Johnson and the artistic family tree of the film, which appeals to both the regular public and the prizes.