The Smashing Machine (2002)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

John Hyams

Genre:

Documentary | Sport

Plot Keywords:

Extreme Championship Wrestling | Drug Abuse | Mixed Martial Arts | Drug Addiction | Fight

Cast

Mark Kerr	...	Himself
Mark Coleman	...	Himself
Dawn Staples	...	Herself
Bas Rutten	...	Himself
Eddie Goldman	...	Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Royce Gracie	...	Himself
Ken Shamrock	...	Himself
Igor Vovchanchyn	...	Himself

Also Known As:

The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Mark Kerr (USA) (cable TV title)
The Specimen (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, some language and drug content.

Runtime:

Australia:93 min

Certification:

South Korea:18 | USA:R | Australia:MA

Company:

Solaris

Quite possibly the best MMA documentary ever made.

"The Smashing Machine", which follows mixed martial arts competitor Mark Kerr's career from late '99 until the Pride Grand Prix 2000 tournament in Japan, is a stunning and provocative look at a man whose fights with his own personal demons rival those he encounters in the ring (or in the octagon). Also featured in the documentary is Mark Coleman, who at the time was coming off a two-year slump in the sport.

I think what struck me the most was the dramatic aspect of it. Kerr, for one, surprised me with his willingness to bare his soul before the camera. The movie goes a long way to dispell many stereotypes that many people have of shootfighters, as both Kerr and Coleman come across as genuinely good people (and in Coleman's case a devout husband and father). John Hyams provides the audience with an extremely candid look at the life of Kerr, who deals with a drug abuse problem and a potentially dysfunctional relationship. For those who aren't fans of MMA, the access Kerr grants to Hyams will shock and move you. For those who are fans, the bouts that are shown (through clips) become even more pivotal and dramatic.

For fans of Mixed Martial Arts the documentary will forever change the way you'll look at Kerr and Coleman, while also adding an added dimension to the drama that occurs within the ring (or octagon). "The Smashing Machine" provides a moving glimpse into the lives of people whose weaknesses make them more identifiable to the audience than any other documentary subject or film character, despite their profession and physiques.

Highly recommended for fans and non-fans alike,, and especially for those who view MMA as barbaric and its fighters as testosterone-driven madmen.