https://rollingstone.com.br/cinema/coracao-de-luteiro-the—-smashing-machine-dwayne-johnson-vulneravel-distante-hero-de-acao-critica/

https://rollingstone.com.br/cinema/coracao-de-luteiro-the—-smashing-machine-dwayne-johnson-vulneravel-distante-hero-de-acao-critica/

In the feature film, in theaters in Brazilian theaters, The Rock moves away from the charisma of a hero of action to dive into the royal story of fighter Mark Kerr, in a physically intense and emotionally deep role

It is curious to see Dwayne Johnson (Jumanji: Welcome to the jungle), the The rockknown for its charisma and action and comedy movies, in such a serious and dramatic role in Fighter Heart: The Smashing Machine. The feature will certainly attract the audience willing to find out if the actor can support an emotional complexity character – and see if he really is a potential Oscar candidate for best actor in 2026. In addition, Fighter’s heart marks the solo debut of Benny Safdie in the direction, without your brother Joshwith whom he worked in Gross jewelry (2017). Despite the absence of Josh, Benny He keeps his signature intense and intimate, bringing the camera closer to the characters and creating a sense of immersion, without the acid humor present in the pair -driven works.

The plot follows the trajectory of Mark Kerr (Johnson) Between 1999 and 2001, offering a raw portrait of the life of one of MMA’s most dominant athletes. Ex-Olympic in wrestling, Kerr He earned the nickname “The Smashing Machine” for his physical and technical superiority, but had to deal with injuries, fear, dependence on painkillers and personal conflicts. The film does not hesitate to show the fighter’s suffering, from extreme physical pain to moments of despair in search of medicines, revealing the fragility behind the champion’s strength.

The work of Johnson It is undoubtedly the heart of the movie. To interpret KerrHe underwent a strict regime of cardio, bodybuilding and MMA training, as well as hours in makeup and prostheses to reproduce the appearance of the fighter. The actor’s extreme delivery is reflected in the authenticity of struggles and the emotional vulnerability present in each scene. Johnson It can balance the athlete’s physical ferocity with moments of introspection, showing a very distant side of the hero of action that the public is used to seeing.

More than just capturing the athlete in action, Benny Safdie It privileges proximity to the characters. The camera in hand, the granulated photograph and the focus on the physical and emotional details give a rare intimacy in sports kilograms. Fights are filmed with accuracy and authenticity, without romanticization or exaggeration, allowing tension and physical impact to be felt by the viewer. The film maintains some typical mannerisms of the genre: toxic masculinity, painkillers addiction and conflicts in the love relationship. Everything is approached peripherally, serving more as narrative elements than as central themes, although some stand out before the others.

The real focus of the film is in the protagonist’s personal relationships, something recurring in fighter movies. Recent productions do the same: Unparalleledwith Jharrel Jerome (Eyes that condemn) and Jennifer Lopez (Case with me), has greater focus on the relationship between mother and son, Railwith Zac Efron (High School Musical), deepens the family dynamics of triumphs and tragedies before the abusive figure of the father. Here, Safdie focuses more on the troubled relationship between Kerr and your companion Dawn Staplesinterpreted by Emily Blunt (OPPENHEIMER). Sometimes, Dawn It sounds suffocated or ignored, but the camera always emphasizes its presence. One of the most touching moments occurs in an amusement park, when Kerr is unable to accompany her in a toy for “don’t have a stomach” – A scene that symbolizes the emotional distance between them.

In addition to the love tensions, the film also shows the camaraderie between Kerr and other fighters. In a scene present in the trailer, a lady asks him if the fighters hate in the ring, and Kerr answers: “No, at all.”This relationship is explored throughout the narrative, and at another time, the fighter even ignores Dawn To take a picture with these rivals, which a few moments ago he had exchanged punches. This human look at the MMA community complements the intimacy that Safdie builds with the characters and also reveals that, as much as Kerr – And, consequently, The rock -, be brutamontes, there is a respect and affection among sportsmen.

In the end, Fighter Heart: The Smashing Machine stands out for its balance between the intense performance of Johnson and the direction of Benny Safdie. This portrait of one of MMA pioneering athletes offers moments of genuineness and beauty within a conventional narrative. It is not one of the great films of the year, but it is a solid biography that only has its adaptation justified thanks to the way Benny REGE, AND THAT PRESENTS US Dwayne Johnson In one of his most mature and risky interpretations of his career – and that, by itself, is already worth the ticket.

Also read: Exhaustive and stuntmen: Dwayne Johnson’s radical transformation to ‘Heart of Fighter’

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Angelo Cordeiro (@angelocordeirosilva)

Angelo Cordeiro He is a reporter for the Film Center of Editora Profile, which includes Cinebuzz, Rolling Stone Brazil and Contigo. Graduated in Journalism from São Judas University, he has written about films since 2014. Paulistano from the Interlagos neighborhood and Formula 1 fanatic. Pisciano, but does not believe in astrology. São Paulo, Pet’s father and movie buff and ranking.

Source: Rollingstone

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