Dwayne Johnson Reveals Christopher Nolan’s Rave Reaction to ‘Smashing Machine’ at Hamilton’s Behind the Camera Awards

While presenting Benny Safdie with a Hamilton Behind the Camera Award for directing “The Smashing Machine,” Dwayne Johnson shared the thoughtful first reaction that Christopher Nolan had to the biographical sports drama and its unique directing style. Talking about Safdie’s bold decisions to keep the camera out of the ring and present fights from the crowded perspective of the audience, Johnson said, “It paid off the first time Christopher Nolan saw the movie and said to Benny, ‘I mean this in the most respectful and complimentary way, but I feel like I shouldn’t be watching this. I feel like I’m violating their space. And it’s so counterintuitive as a director. I really want to give you credit and flowers for that.’”

The “Oppenheimer” director previously praised “The Smashing Machine” in an interview with Safdie on the “Director’s Cut” podcast in October. There, he complimentarily…