“Listen, I’ve watched a lot of movies, Paul. I know what I’m doing.” —Danny
Today’s quick review: Pain & Gain. Miami personal trainer Danny Lugo (Mark Wahlberg) wants it all and has a plan to get it: by kidnapping Victor Kershaw (Tony Shalhoub), a wealthy client, and forcing him to sign over his riches. Danny enlists fellow bodybuilders Adrian (Anthony Mackie) and Paul (Dwayne Johnson) to help him with the kidnapping. But the situation gets messy when the amateur kidnappers actually try to go through with their plan.
Pain & Gain is a crime comedy from director Michael Bay that’s based on a true story. Pain & Gain follows three bodybuilders-turned-criminals as they bungle their way through what should be a simple kidnapping. The movie features an excellent group of leads, a nicely chaotic plot, and an active, engaging presentation style. Its violence and explicit content make it a black comedy, but its innocent tone keeps it from slipping into something darker.
Pain & Gain sparkles thanks to vivid characters with great rapport. Danny Lugo is the leader of the bunch, a bodybuilder with dreams of wealth and just enough smarts to impress the other two. Adrian and Paul are his friends and lackeys, likable men with poor judgment and just enough of a criminal streak to get into serious trouble. Victor rounds out the main cast, an abrasive self-made millionaire who makes his kidnappers’ jobs as hard as possible.
Their personalities organically give rise to a plot that’s engrossing and unpredictable. What begins as a simple kidnapping soon spirals out of control, thanks to unforeseen circumstances, bad decisions, and botched attempts to set things right. The entire story is presented in a stylish, energetic manner that keeps the film moving even when the action is in a lull, while the movie’s heavy dusting of black humor helps offset its violence.
However, Pain & Gain strikes a delicate balance that’s easily disrupted. The movie relies on Danny, Adrian, and Paul coming across as at least somewhat sympathetic, even as they commit greater and greater misdeeds in the name of money. Those who dislike their antics will not get much out of the film, nor will those who trip over the increasing amounts of gore and black humor that’s present later in the movie.
Watch Pain & Gain when you’re in the mood for a lively, unconventional crime comedy. There’s enough in the way of gore, sex, and drug abuse to make it a poor pick for the faint of heart, but those who can stomach a handful of gruesome moments will be rewarded with a unique story backed by solid writing and a cast that play well off one another.
For another tale of ambition and debauchery, try The Wolf of Wall Street. For a darkly comedic caper in a similar vein, try Burn After Reading. For a less action-packed amateur kidnapping, try Suicide Kings or Kidnapping Mr. Heineken.
6.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a potent combination of character, humor, and plot.