Kershaw is a self made man who has earned millions from his chain of deli restaurants Shlotzsky’s, but since he is an insufferable asshole, Lugo feels that he deserves his fortune more, so he creates a simple scheme to kidnap Kershaw then make his sign away his fortune and house over to Lugo. At a point you root for the trio to get away with the crime until things take a very serious turn that spiral downward from then on Pain and Gain is Michael Bay’s pet project and also his return to his directorial roots. At $22 million Bay, Wahlberg, and Johnson took considerable pay cuts so the film could get made. The Miami setting and mix of action and humor are all reminders of his directorial debut Bad Boys. However Pain and Gain is based on actual stranger than fiction series of crimes and murders that took place in Miami. The levity in the film is provided not from the crimes that are committed, but the bizarre dim witted way they are executed.
There are even points of the movie that reminds you it’s based on a true story when you’re watching something that seems so outlandish and ridiculous. So while Bad Boys was the light-hearted fun little brother, Pain and Gain is the dark brooding older sibling. It’s a black comedy that has violent turns here and there. The casting in this film is wonderful. It’s believable that Wahlberg and Johnson probably drew on their athletic past to create these thick-headed beefy dolts. Mackie is also a charismatic actor that dulled down his natural intelligence to play Adrian. Shalhoub is great playing Kershaw. He plays the obnoxious asshole to perfection and it’s really difficult to sympathize for his character because of the fact he’s a complete and total jerk.
My only real criticism of the film is that it plays with way too many voice overs and points of view. There are as many as 6 different characters providing a voice over about their life, when only it should have been just 1 or 2 specifically Wahlberg’s an Johnson’s characters. There is also a lot of handheld jittery camera views and an excess of slow- mo that is just part of Michael Bay’s directing style. So for those of you who want a well paced, action filled, dark comedy get ready for an entertaining fun ride. Solid B Grade
Maia M.
