While it isn't entirely uncommon for a biopic to be more concerned with its lead actor than the individual at the heart of the story, the discourse around "The Smashing Machine" has been extraordinarily The Rock-centric. Dwayne Johnson portrays Mark Kerr, whose blood and sweat helped turn the UFC from a quasi-medieval venture into the £1bn star vehicle it is today — and lost nearly everything in the process.

Just as "Uncut Gems", which was co-written by "The Smashing Machine" director Benny Safdie, gleaned out of Adam Sandler a performance that nobody had ever imagined he'd be capable of, so it follows here. Does Johnson have hidden depths? The Oscar buzz coming from the critics suggests The Rock has cooked up something on an entirely different plane to his previous acting ventures.

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