PAIN & GAIN (2013)

Directed By: Michael Bay
Written By: Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely
Based On The Magazine Articles By: Pete Collins
Cinematography By: Ben Seresin
Editor: Thomas A. Muldoon & Joel Negron

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Rebel Wilson, Ed Harris, Peter Stomare, Tony Shaloub, Rob Coddry, Bar Paly, Larry Hankin, Michael Rispoli, Ken Jeong, Emily Rutherford, Tony Plana

A trio of bodybuilders in Florida get caught up in an extortion ring and a kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong.

This is probably the most lucrative material that Director Michael Bay has even gotten his hands on as he tries to break out of the usual type of blockbusters that he makes. This film marks only the second time he is dealing with a fact based story or at least a story centered around true events. He directs and makes a film with the gusto, energy and restraint of a 13 year old. Especially since this film seems aimed at that age of an audience, and their grasp on the world. As well as their short attention spans.

I know what do you really expect, but I was willing to go into this film open minded and give Mr. Bay the benefit of the doubt. We live, We learn. What he has made is a film so bad at times it’s good. The film is a big budget and over the top. That is wrong in so many ways, yet never boring. Though feels overlong. That the film soon ends up feeling like a guilty pleasure. A fucked up cult film in it’s own way. Mr. Bay seems earnest in his attempts at craft. That it only makes the film funnier.

Albert Brooks was considered for the role of Marc Schiller but a deal couldn't be reached and John Turturro was cast instead. Turturro dropped out due to scheduling conflicts and Tony Shaloub was cast.

At just over 20 million dollars, the film stands as Michael Bay's lowest-budgeted film since his feature film debut BAD BOYS. He, Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson took pay cuts to keep the budget down --The performers and performances are all energetic. The characters are all comic originals taken into a dramatic crime story. If this was a pure out and out comedy this film would be exceptional, but this is a true story with true horrors at times. The film starts to remember that and builds real tension and horror, Before then like a child deciding it doesn’t want to deal with that emotion and quickly restores itself back to comedy. Seems like the director decided he was uncomfortable with reality. It’s too slow or him so let’s get back to the wackier aspects. That is how he directs like he feels that the audience will get bored if he doesn’t cut and throw 20 different camera angles in one scene. It’s like a 90’s MTV Retelling of the tale. Bay also feels the need to go into overdrive for the sake of comedy. Like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s character is a reborn Christian. So his characters every shirt and piece of clothing early on in the film has Jesus written somewhere on it. So we don’t forget. Just as his character also seems to carry a skateboard early in the film, yet never uses it. Though it is there to show how poor he is and that it is his only source of transportation. We know truthfully as big as he is if he ever stepped on it. He’d break it in an instant. Or like one scene where a character is stuck in the hospital with a fat roommate who later leaves the bathroom covered in feces, Why? Because I guess bay thought it was funny or the screenwriters thought this would be comedic genius.

The home of Frank Griga's character belongs to Michael Bay. It is also the former Miami home of Hulk Hogan. The house was used in the Miami seasons of "Hogan Knows Best".

In the scene where Doyle (Johnson) is in prison fighting with the inmates, one of those inmates is professional wrestler Kurt Angle. Johnson is famously known as "The Rock". The two of them have had man professional wrestling matches in the WWE against each other over their respective careers. Angle is credited as a stunt man for the film.

Like the characters the film has so much excess. It feels bloated. The characters all speak smart, but are actually idiotic. Most of them stock characters with a little shape. The Rock’s character is truly the only standout in the film as you watch him and his character breakdown his actions and reactions are just so hilarious. It’s like all the praise he received for the film BE COOL which I never understood Is finally clear to me. Just what audiences enjoy about him . He gives it his all and the fact that he tries so hard is impressive.

The film starts out as an underdog story, before later revealing how ruthless these characters had become. Reading the series of articles the film is based on is riveting and while this story includes certain details. It’s just as wild, over the top and crazy. The true story is so rich with characters, events and details that it would be hard to not only believe, but fit it all in one film. The film does a mini version of the tale. A greatest hits version that doesn’t come close to all the details. If a filmmaker with more depth had made this film it would be a darkly comic epic classic. As there is a good film in here, but made by Michael Bay

Just like the few sex scenes this film has. They are not sensual, erotic , nor as funny as he seems to want to make them. Mr. Bay knows how to make objects and women look sexy .Like a fantasy, but not engaging. He doesn’t make sex look good at all. The film even feels very misogynistic. Michael Bay also makes the police and armed forces look good. While making the first detectives on the case look grotesque and stupid

Rebel Wilson playing a Characters love interest. Seems to only be in the film for comic relief to a film already filled with comedy. It seems like she was the only cast member given full reign to improvise also.

Mark Whalberg is at his best when playing eccentric or off kilter characters. He tries his best here and is successful. He’s just not the star of the show.

Between the laughs it’s easy to forget people actually died or were nearly killed, but then the film to make it ok as a source of comedy.

The film is certainly Bay’s funniest this time it seems more intentional then unintentional though there is still plenty of unintentional laughs. It’s a step up for him and that is part of my excitement for the film.

I wish I could massacre and bad mouth the film totally, but I can’t. --Wait for Cable

GRADE: C