Bob GarverContributorA popular criticism I’ve heard about “The Smashing Machine” is that it tries too hard to subvert expectations. I assume that this is a reference to the way the film follows mixed martial artist Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) on his journey not to a major win, but to his first professional loss. The film is building to a milestone in Kerr’s life that may not be pleasant, but is undeniably important. But I came out of the film more concerned about another expectation the film subverted: the expectation that it not put me to sleep.The film opens in 1997 with Kerr’s professional debut in a tournament in Brazil. College prodigy Kerr is a hulking, polished beast who makes short work of his schlubby opponents to win the tournament. He goes on to enjoy succes
