By: Dominic La-Viola

The new A24 film centers on the story of Pride and UFC champion Mark Kerr.

When I first heard that Benny Safdie was writing and directing a bio about an UFC champion, who not only help pioneer the sport of UFC, but also had under gone personal struggle, I instantly thought this film was going to be a serious Oscar contender. 

The film first premiered at the Cannes film festival, which for those of you who don’t know. Is one of the most prestigious film festivals of the year. Which following its screening received a whopping 9 minute standing ovation. 

Producing along side Benny Safdie is the star of the film Dawyne Johnson . AKA The Rock. One of the most electrifying men in sports entertainment. 

Now there is no question in Johnson’s performance, which by all means is something completely different then we’ve ever seen him in.    

Being taken back by that statement is not only understandable, yet a reasonable reaction. For he’s playing a role that, seems to be nothing more then himself. A professional wrestler so to speak. For Mark Kerr’s specialty and background was indeed in wrestling. Although the actual sport of  wrestling, not staged wrestling, like WWE. 

Yet in his performance he gives us something, that he never has before. Transforming into the person that I can only imagine is Mark Kerr. 

Starring along side him, his co star from the Disney adventure film Jungle Cruise,  Oscar Nominee Emily Blunt.

Who along side Johnson, gives a gut wrenching performance that is nothing less than Oscar worthy, to which Dwayne Johnson meets with a simmering performance that shows the world, he is more then just a blockbuster star. 

Although, this is the part in I feel in which this film falls short. With a run time of 2 hours and 3 mins. The film is indeed a good length, however given the subject manner and fact that this is telling the story of a real person, whose biggest struggles were outside the ring. The film only ever tells us that there was a problem, but never shows us the issues or insight that lead down the road in which is taken.

The biggest issue with the film, isn’t what is shown or seen. Yet what is not. This is a sports movie like no other, yet it feels very similar to so many that has come before it. Warrior, Rocky and Southpaw  are first come to mind.

Although the biggest difference, this film focuses so much on the fights themselves, that it simply brushes over the more interesting, and arguably the most important parts. What happens outside of the ring. 

Dawn, who is played by Emily Blunt, is such an important part in Mark’s life. I can’t say when she came into his life, for the film takes place between 1997 and 2000’s to which her character is already established, or should I say Dawn was already established in Mark’s life. For this is based on actual events. 

Although what we do know from what is seen and said, is that she plays a huge part in his career and life at this time. Yet the film barely scratched the surface of her or her involvement .

The drug addiction, the mental state in which he was in during, before and after the fight in which he lost, but then was called a no contact. For. Yes, the way the film portrays it, the other fighter did indeed break the rules, and should have been disqualified but the referee never called it. 

Which again, this was during a time when the sport was still finding itself and the rules were being changed regularly, as the sport was trying to find its ground. This detail was made known in the film. 

During that part, or should I say after, we learn that Dawn speaks out to his Trianer about how he has been parting and drinking a lot leading up to this fight. That she thought he was high before the fight. 

Which, without going into details shows us that there was more to the story. That Dawn’s character and the person behind the character played a bigger part in everything. 

This, along with other scenes in the film indicates that Mark’s Trianer and friends didn’t really like Dawn and seen her as a bad influence or problematic for Mark.

Yet the film never really dives into that part of the story or live of Mark Kerr, which honestly I think is what holds the film back from greatness. 

Watching the fights being re-enacted is fun and engaging in the film. Especially in the beginning, with the use of 16mm film and various other techniques and filming methods that give the film a unique an realistic feel, really drawing you in. 

However visually appearing and entertaining as watching the fights being re-enacted are, by the end of the film, it still feels as if something is missing. 

The ending follows in the tropes of using text to tell us what happens with the people in real life, in which reference the story we just watched. Which only confirms that there was so much more to the story that was left out. 

Now being based on a true story, sometimes gives a film a disadvantage. For the creators can’t weld the story together in a way in which  they find best. They need to tell the story as interesting as possible by staying as truthful to the origins as possible. Especially with films as these. Horror films of course are  not included in that statement. 

With that being said, I feel like the lack of insight to his personal life with Dawn, which is where the real story lies, is what the films biggest hurtle is. 

Which very much could have been off limits and something that Mark Kerr, didn’t want to be known. Understandable. Yet desperately hinders the story being told about a legend, who helps shape one of the most lucrative sports in America today. 

Overall 4/5 Stars.