PHOTO COURTESY A24

There’s a beautiful scene right in the middle of “The Smashing Machine,” and it has nothing to do with mixed martial arts.

Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) and his on-again, off-again girlfriend Dawn (Emily Blunt) are having a happy night out at a local carnival. She wants to ride the Gravitron; he’s got a sensitive stomach and worries he’ll get sick. After futile debate with the ride operator, she rides it alone. She enjoys it, but is visibly sad that he wouldn’t take the risk; he’s frustrated, but understands that his life shouldn’t prevent her from having fun.

It’s the sort of illuminating, illustrative scene that stands out in a curious character study — because “The Smashing Machine” is a curious character study. It is not particularly interested in investigating the world that, in Kerr’s heyday, was accurately dubbed “extreme fighting.” Nor does the film, written and directed by Benny Safdie, find anything remarkable or novel about Kerr’s story: the drugs, injuries and professional ups and downs are so common for sports tales that they barely warrant extended comment.

Do not expect the dramatic hallmarks of a biopic. Do not expect a nailbiting plot like that in Safdie’s previous film, “Uncut Gems.” If you instead expect a careful, thoughtful look at an unusual guy, you’ll be very satisfied.

There are indelible scenes here. There are also remarkable performances, particularly from Johnson. Long a stalwart of big-budget franchises, the actor has deliberately chosen a project to highlight his acting chops. He rises to the occasion; more than anything, this is a film about a man who is too sensitive and conflicted for the macho world he inhabits.

Safdie’s script nods at those contradictions — Kerr is occasionally called upon to defend or explain the realities of his profession — but is far more interested in the idiosyncrasies of the character than the bizarre early days of the sport. “The Smashing Machine” is a good and enjoyable movie, but it requires a recalibration of expectations on the audience’s part. Perhaps that’s the point; you’re looking at a mountain of a man, but the most shocking part is the tears.

My Rating: 7/10

“The Smashing Machine” is now playing in theaters.