Ben Safdie’s film The Smashing Machine, in which Dwayne Johnson plays MMA fighter Mark Kerr, received a lukewarm reception at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), in contrast to the praise it garnered at the Venice Film Festival.
In Venice, critics called Johnson’s performance a breakthrough and even suggested it could be Oscar-worthy. The premiere at TIFF, though, was not met with huge applause. Audience reactions were more reserved: many viewers found the narration uneven and frustrating, and felt that the movie was more of a showcase of an acting transformation rather than a cohesive story.
Still, reviewers note that Johnson made a real effort to live up to a dramatic role, and that sincerity – described as “awkward but touching” – is the film’s main strength.
Observers say the gap in reactions is partly due to differences between the festivals: Venice is more emotional, while Toronto’s audiences are known for a more sober appraisal of high-profile premieres.
