Christopher Nolan calls Dwayne Johnson's performance in The Smashing Machine 'heartbreaking'

Los Angeles [US]October 16 (ANI): Christopher Nolan recently heaped praise on Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s performance in ‘The Smashing Machine’, calling it one of the best of the year. Speaking to the film’s director Benny Safdie on ‘The Director’s Cut’ podcast, Nolan described Johnson’s portrayal of MMA fighter Mark Kerr as “heartbreaking” and “incredible”, according to Variety. “I think it’s an incredible performance,” Nolan added. “I don’t think you will see a better performance this year or in most other years.” The Oppenheimer filmmaker, who worked with Safdie on his Oscar-winning film, also shared how impressed he was with Safdie’s latest project. “Congratulations on the movie. It’s really a remarkable and radical piece of work that will be understood more and more over time. I’m very proud to know you,” Nolan said, according to Variety. During the conversation, Nolan also jokingly teased Safdie about recruiting actors for ‘The Smashing Machine’ while filming ‘Oppenheimer,’ which also starred Emily Blunt, who appears in ‘The Smashing Machine’ as Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples. “I heard a rumor that when you were supposed to be learning your lines on my set, you were actually recruiting people to be in your movie,” Nolan quipped to Safdie. “I wasn’t aware of it at the time, but it seems to have worked out well for you.” Directed by Safdie, The Smashing Machine follows the rise and struggle of UFC champion Mark Kerr as he faces his battles with addiction and the toll it has taken on his personal life. The film earned Safdie the best director award at the Venice Film Festival, but struggled at the box office, earning just $10 million domestically on a $50 million budget, according to Variety. Johnson has since spoken out about how deeply the role affected him. After the film’s release, the actor shared a statement that read: “In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results, but what I’ve realized is that you can control your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere. And I will always run to that opportunity.” “It was my honor to transform into this role for my director, Benny Safdie. Thank you, brother, for believing in me. The truth is, this film changed my life. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy, DJ,” it continued, as per Variety. (ANI)