The Smashing Machine

Winner of the prestigious Silver Lion for Best Direction at the Venice Film Festival, Benny Safdie (co-director of American indie jewels Uncut Gems and Good Times) returns with The Smashing Machine, a heartfelt and compassionate biopic about mixed martial artist and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) legend Mark Kerr, portrayed brilliantly by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, a wrestling legend in his own right. The Smashing Machine chronicles Kerr's meteoric rise in the fighting community, supported by his girlfriend Dawn Staples (a fantastic turn by Oscar-nominee Emily Blunt). His impeccable politeness and gentleness hiding a rage he can hardly manage, opponents in the octagon aren't the only things Kerr battles as his inner demons drag him down and his relationship with Dawn threatens to fall apart.

"Johnson, shifting his whole aspect (he seems like a new actor), invests that silent, moody, hidden side of Mark with a quality of mystery. He gives an extraordinary performance, playing Mark Kerr as a gentle giant with demons that will not speak their name, yet the audience can feel them there; we want to see those demons healed."—Owen Gleiberman, Variety.

R
2 hours 3 minutes
watervillecreates.org/shows/the-smashing-machine

This film is eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund. Call the Box Office at 207.873.7000 to obtain YAAF tickets.

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