The Smashing Machine

An engrossing documentary on the fringe sport of extreme fighting and one of its most popular champions, the 6'1", 260 lb. Mark Kerr, The Smashing Machine is a well-rounded portrait of a man who is a fearsome and often brutal athlete when in competition (which involves a furious mix of boxing, wrestling, martial arts, and old fashioned brawling), but a surprisingly vulnerable and emotionally frayed man outside of the ring, dealing with issues ranging from his estrangement from friends and family to his girlfriend's acute alcoholism to his own growing dependency on prescription drugs. The latter takes him into the hospital following a drug overdose and then into a rehab center, from which he emerges trying to regain time and momentum in his sporting career. Mercifully, the film keeps the bloodier aspects of extreme fighting to a minimum, giving more attention to the ruthless marketing and rabid audience reaction to this ultra-violent sport (the pacing falls off somewhat with a belated focus on another extreme fighting star, a former champ and Kerr's college classmate Mark Coleman, only to deny him any degree of time that would amount to a genuine profile). Ultimately, the lust for more blood and violence from promoters and fans is even more unsettling than anything Kerr and his fellow combatants dish out with their fists. DVD extras include the bonus film Fight Day (featuring Renzo Gracie), filmmaker commentary, and deleted scenes. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)