Title – Pain and Gain (2013)
Director – Michael Bay (The Rock)
Cast – Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Ed Harris, Tony Shalhoub, Rob Corddry, Rebel Wilson, Ken Jeong, Bar Paly
Plot – A bodybuilding trio consisting of big dreamer Daniel Lugo (Wahlberg), drug addicted reformed Christian Paul Doyle (Johnson) and steroid taking Adrian Doorbal (Mackie) get caught up in the extortion and attempted murder of rich businessman Victor Kershaw (Shalhoub) all in the name of reaching the American dream.
“Life’s gonna give me another set. I know it will”
Review by Eddie on 9/01/2014
Hollywood California, 11.30pm and the Bay household or should we say mansion is quiet and ready for bed. Michael removes his gold slippers, finishes his cigar and nestles into his Transformers silk bed sheets and closes his eyes ready for sleep. As he drifts into a deep rest visions of explosions, young models in short skirts, explosions, a really big explosion, short skirts, explosions, loud noises, a slow motion explosion and robot dangly bits fill his mind. As he awakes in the morning light with the rays of Beverly Hills he forgets what dreams filled his night yet is inspired with a jolt of creativity to go and blow things up – all in the name of art and entertainment oh and he needs a nubile young model to sign on for her “acting” skills.
Oh Michael Bay we could make fun of you all day and all night long, you’re the butt of many critics joke and an easy target at that yet one thing that cannot be denied is your track record with your films making in excess of 4 billion dollars at the global box office therefore giving you a license to pretty much blow up whatever you see fit and really the world is all the better for it.
It may come as a surprise but Pain and Gain is explosion free for a whole 52 minutes! That’s right Bay does not blow up a single creation either small or large until almost an hour into his bizarre, frantic and seriously entertaining take on a unbelievably true story set in the sun drenched city of Miami. Bay’s tale is perhaps his wildest yet and features acting turns by it’s 3 leads that rank as some of the most committed of the year.
The trio of Wahlberg, Johnson and Mackie committee not only physically to this tale but mentally, portraying versions of men so hell bent on the American dream they will turn to kidnapping and murder to get it. This outrageous tale is a fascinating allegory on the American dream with voice over monologues from the characters letting us know just how brazenly dumb these men are whether it be thinking Scarface is real or wanting to be a Doer and not a Don’t-er. It’s a crazy tale directed with a Red Bull infused energy by Bay that one suspects will be a cult classic in years to come due to its subject and portrayals.
Make no doubts about it there is a lot wrong with Pain and Gain but it’s also one of the best filmed and interestingly acted movies from last year and at no stage is it in any way boring. Bay is a man easy to hate on but for a director who makes unashamedly entertaining films he is a genius and on the strength of this effort shows us to be a daring filmmaker whether you want to admit it or not. Bring on the next Transformers I say, now back to sleep I have explosions to dream of.
3 pumps out of 5
Related articles
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- Review: Pain & Gain (cihannarin.com)
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Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
I didn’t like it as much as you do, but I agree it has a certain entertainment value.
Good review Eddie. I was very confused as to what the type of tone Bay was taking with this material, however, I stopped caring after awhile and just enjoyed myself. Even despite all of the ugliness surrounding it.
It really was a pretty despicable crime they committed and the film was dark in almost all places.
Eddie
“An allergy on the American Dream” …. a Freudian slip? 🙂
Ha my bad mate!
Eddie
Surprisingly I enjoyed this one, It was very boogie nights but completely lacking in style. The Huge guy was hilarious. So night very high grade from me considering that I flt it could have been done a lot better. Enjoyable none the less. nice review
Not the best movie in the world, but it sure was entertaining as hell from beginning to end. I agree with your rating, and enjoyed it as well.
If you go with the flow it will be enjoyable that is for sure despite it being pretty in your face.
Eddie
I’ve never seen a Michael Bay movie. Not because I think I’m above it but because they all sound terrible! Pearl Harbour, Transformers, this…I’m giving it a miss!
Oh Thomas your missing out on some seriously good explosions mate! If you ever do start with a Bay flick go with The Rock or Armageddon as a opener.
Eddie
Sorry Eddie, they are more examples why I’ve never seen a Michael Bay film. Just not my kind of films. In fact, I only found out recently that Bay directed all those other films, as I only previously knew about Transformers. Just to prove I’m not being snobby! Shows I must have good taste though if I hate his movies without even knowing he directed them haha!
That’s it man, it’s like you were almost born to hate Michael Bay!
Eddie
Hahah funny read dude. It’s a little reassuring to see you had positive things (some very positive things, actually) to say about this Michael Bay production. Oh, how he’s SOO easy to make fun of. I’m doing it right now in my head as I type this. lol. I might have to give this a watch, though I think there’s going to be some cringe-inducing moments for this guy
If you catch it let us know what you thought mate, a little different to the usual Bay fare.
Eddie
I thought this was a great film, love him or hate him, Bay knows how to entertain and spend money wisely!
Here’s hoping that this years fighting robots bring the entertainment goods.
Eddie
Really great review! Loved reading it. And when I saw this movie, I was blown away (pun intended) by its craziness. At first I didn’t know whether to like it or hate it, but after reading your review. Well, I’m probably gonna like it, it’s just something we’ve never seen before.
It really was completely unique that is for sure, from the structure, filming and acting it was all seriously bizarre in a can’t turn away type of deal.
Eddie
I’ve avoided ALL of the “Transformers” films, but I am very intrigued by what I am hearing about this one. Hoping to squeeze it in soon. ML
Let us know if you catch it Mark it’s a real oddball of a flick.
Eddie
I was surprised about that lack thereof explosions at the start too! To me this movie could’ve been an hour and thirty minutes, sadly it was unbearably long for me. Still though, good review Eddie!
Ha man Bay does not know how to edit a movie in that respect, I reckon all his films could do with a tighter edit.
Eddie
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