Two groups may emerge at the top if someone wants to categorize the films based on their inferiority. The first group consists the inadequate movies. And the second consists of those, which are too bad even to consider them some horrible creative taste, yet they self-consciously capitalize on their badness and make an enjoyable and ironic tale to witness. The most famous example in the second category is the Tommy Wiseau film The Room. And following that thread, director Peter Atencio creates a semi-autobiography, semi-parody, semi-reality T.V. show, and semi-dark comedy film called The Machine (2023).
The film stars Bert Kreischer, Mark Hamill, Stephanie Kurtzuba and Iva Babic. It is loosely based on the life of famous comedian Bert Kreischer a.k.a. The Machine, who also plays the lead role in the movie. I intend this article to talk about the film in more detail. So, I want to warn the readers to read further only if they’ve seen the movie, as it is going to be full of spoilers.
The Machine (2023) Movie Synopsis and Plot Summary:
The film opens at a bustling casino in Moscow, where a notorious gangster named Jovan Savic observes the stand-up comedy performance of Bert Kreischer, who portrays himself. Bert delves into his infamous “Machine” story, recounting his entanglement with the Russian mafia during his college days. Little does he know that the gangster believes he possesses something that rightfully belongs to him, setting the stage for an impending confrontation.
The credits roll, showcasing Bert’s immense success following his viral story. However, his personal life paints a different picture of complexity. He is married to LeeAnn, portrayed by Stephanie Kurtzuba, and together they raise their two daughters, Sasha (Jessica Gabor) and Tatiana (Amelie Villiers). Struggling with family dynamics, Bert takes the drastic step of enrolling them in therapy due to his inability to connect with them emotionally. Meanwhile, Sasha and Tatiana harbour their grievances against their father, such as Bert foolishly live-streamed Sasha’s arrest when she attempted to pick him up while intoxicated.
To celebrate Sasha’s birthday, the Kreischer family organizes a party. However, Sasha feels disheartened as she had wished for an intimate gathering with close friends, only for Bert to invite acquaintances instead. The situation becomes further complicated by the arrival of Bert’s estranged father, Albert, played by Mark Hamill. Albert dismisses Bert’s infamous “Machine” story as a fabrication, igniting a fiery argument between the two. Amidst the tension, a mysterious woman named Irina (Iva Babic) approaches them, revealing that they must follow her to prevent Sasha from being kidnapped by the D.J. hired for the party. Irina claims that the elusive “Machine” has stolen a pocketwatch belonging to her father, the same gangster witnessed in the film’s opening scene.
Reluctantly, Bert and Albert find themselves on a flight to Moscow, accompanying Irina. During the journey, Bert encounters a man called Sponge (Martyn Ford), who recognizes him as “The Machine” and engages in a peculiar slapping match with him. A flashback then transports viewers to 1999, showcasing a younger Bert (Jimmy Tatro) during college. Joining a trip with classmates, Bert becomes acquainted with a Russian “bandit” named Igor (Marko Nedeljkovic). Bert’s limited knowledge of the Russian language leads him to pose as the legendary American figure known as “The Machine,” entertaining the bandit with witty quotes from American pop culture, such as the Austin Powers movies and Beavis and Butthead. In a twist of fate, the group robes Bert’s classmates, including his close friend Ashley (Rita Bernard-Shaw), who loses respect for him following the incident.
As the Kreischer family navigates the city, Bert’s persona as “The Machine” is shamelessly exploited to endorse beer. They eventually arrive at the dorm(in the past, when Bert was there, the building was used as dorms, but in the present day, they are converted into condos), where they meet Irina’s brother, Vanya (Set Sjostrand), who is embroiled in a power struggle with his sister for control of their family’s business. Chaos ensues as a shootout erupts, forcing Bert and Albert into hiding. With adrenaline pumping, Bert seizes a firearm and attempts to confront Vanya, accidentally shooting him in the head. This tragic event creates a chain reaction, leading to another fatal shooting. Seizing the opportunity, Bert and Irina manage to escape the mayhem.
In a twist of fate, everyone is aboard the same train Bert helped rob years ago. Convinced they have encountered Igor (Oleg Taktarov), the gangsters invite Bert to partake in drinking games, hoping to invoke his alter ego, “The Machine.” Bert, however, resolutely declines. Amidst mounting tension, Sponge reveals his true colours and betrays Irina, callously shooting her off the moving train. In a heroic act, Albert pushes Bert to safety, sacrificing himself to protect his son while the gangsters apprehend him.
Lost and alone, Bert is discovered by the honest Igor (Nikola Duricko) and taken to his peaceful abode, where his family resides. To everyone’s relief, Irina is found alive as well. Igor abandoned his criminal past to forge a new life and possesses the coveted pocket watch. In a heartfelt conversation, Bert and Irina open up about their complicated relationships with their fathers, with Bert reflecting on the profound realization that his party-centric image, which catapulted him to fame, is not the person he aspires to be anymore. Later, Bert engages in a poignant introspection, a mental heart-to-heart with his younger self, pondering the man he has become and the person he strives to be.
The Machine (2023) Movie Ending Explained:
Do Bert and Irina Find the Watch?
Igor’s village has an abandoned factory from the U.S.S.R. period. After leaving his criminal life behind, Igor builds a church inside the factory. When he shows Bert the church, he tells him that he should stop blaming him for the train robbery 23 years back as his participation with the mobsters in that incident kept his classmates safe from being assaulted or killed by the Russian mob.
At that moment, Igor’s watch starts to ring the same tune as the lost watch Bert and Irina are looking for. Igor takes out the pocket watch, and to everyone’s surprise, it turns out to be the same pocket watch they have been looking for this whole time. By asking where Igor finds it, he says that Bert gave him that 23 years ago as a gift before returning to the U.S.
Do Bert and His Father Reconcile?
After getting the pocket watch, Bert and Irina go to her family casino to find out Bert’s dad and settle the scores with Alexei. There they find out that Alexei turns everyone from Irina’s side to his and also takes the pocket watch from Irina. Alexei also reveals that he gives Bert’s dad drugs and a woman to act as some playmate for him.
Furious, Bert tells his dad how pathetic he is and how he fails him as a father. After hearing this, a self-contemplating Bert stabs Alexei when he humiliates Bert.
The three go through a fierce gunfight. And in the meantime, Burt’s dad confesses his guilt for not being a good dad and tells Bert that this is the problem with all dads. He asks for a second chance. Bert understands this feeling, and they reconcile from their past tensions.
What Happens to Irina at the End?
Alexei returns to Bert, still with the stab wound on his (Alexei) chest and starts to beat Bert. He pins down Bert, but Irina comes to his rescue at the exact moment. She takes the pocket watch out of his pocket.
Meanwhile, Alexei and Irina’s father come to the scene. Irina gallantly takes the pocket watch to her father and claims her succession. But her father simply tells her she is too emotional and, in the mob, you have to kill or be killed. He also mocks her for being a woman. Furious with this, Irina shoots her father. With that gesture, everyone accepts Irina as their new boss. Alexei becomes bewildered by this gesture, and Irina orders him to take it away.
What Happened to Bert and His Father?
After Irina takes over control, she thanks Bert for inspiring her. She tells Bert that he mentioned his intention to kill his father in Igor’s village. At that time, Bert is so angry with his father for being pushed by him. From that statement of Bert, Irina finds her inspiration to shoot her father in the end.
Irina gives them a car and tells Bert he is a good father and has a lovely daughter. Bert and Albert return home on better terms, and Bert attempts to be a better father and husband. When he returns to therapy, he talks about having a life-changing experience in Russia, to which he begins to tell a new version of the “Machine” story.
Read More: Fast X (2023) Movie Ending, Explained – Does Dom Die?
The Machine (2023) Movie Trailer
The Machine (2023) Links: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes
The Machine (2023) Cast: Bert Kreischer, Mark Hamill, Iva Babic, Jimmy Tatro
Rating: R (Some Sexual References | Pervasive Language |Drug Use | Strong Violence)
Genre: Comedy, Action
Original Language: English
Director: Peter Atencio
Writer: Kevin Biegel, Scotty Landes
Release Date (Theaters): May 26, 2023 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 20, 2023
Box Office (Gross USA): $10.1M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Distributor: Screen Gems
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