The Smashing Machine - A Smashing Success!
The Smashing Machine is a fascinating documentary that takes viewers inside the world of no-holds-barred fighting in the late 90s. It shows the raw details in and outside the ring through the eyes of Mark “The Smashing Machine” Kerr and his friend/opponent Mark “The Hammer” Coleman. Through their stories, viewers get a glimpse at the bright side of MMA when a fighter is at the top of the food chain as well as the dark side, where drug addiction and failure threaten to ruin not only a fighter’s career but also his personal life.
On a production level, this film offers quality camera work and audio. Interviews and candid video are strewn together in a cohesive and interesting storyline. The director/editors didn’t hold anything back when including material in the film so viewers have a very authentic perspective of what it is like to be a professional fighter. This is a real behind-the-scenes look at fighting, unlike the contrived and dramatic Ultimate Fighter television series. The DVD itself also has a lot of special features including deleted scenes, filmmaker commentary and the biography Fight Day, a film that features Renzo Gracie.
The MMA aficionado will enjoy this film because it offers rare fight and training footage. It shows how hard one must train to keep up with the competition and even has cameos of Bas Ruten and Renzo Gracie. As they experience all this, viewers essentially get to watch a train wreck: Kerr’s glory when he is at the top of his game is the peak of elation while drug dependency and relationship troubles edge him closer to self-destruction. While it covers a period of MMA almost ten years ago, this film remains relevant because it touches on the public perception of no-holds-barred fighting and discusses the difficulty this sport has had breaking into the mainstream.
Even the non-MMA lover can appreciate this film because it delves much deeper into the personal battles of an individual, rather than focusing on fighting alone. At times, viewers will feel excited, depressed, and sympathetic all at once. The Smashing Machine is a humanistic story in which anyone can relate. The audience watches as Mark Kerr works through personal problems that many have faced: a family that doesn’t support his career, an unhealthy relationship with his girlfriend, drug and alcohol use, balancing friendship with work, and all the small issues that come along with these. Pressures from media, fighting organizations, friends and family all add up to an explosive story of life and love in this thrilling display of filmmaking.
Would I recommend this DVD? Yes!!!! I recommend this documentary to anyone who has even the slightest interest in no-holds-barred fighting or MMA. All 92 minutes of this film are engrossing and effective. While grandma might find the fighting scenes to be graphic and disturbing, most of the audience will find this film worthwhile and entertaining.
Happy training!
Kevin
Tags: Documentary/Special Interests, Video
