Pain & Gain is a crime-comedy-action movie directed by Michael Bay that was released in 2013. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Tony Shalhoub, and Ed Harris, the movie tells the story of a group of bodybuilders who aspired to live the American Dream and became involved in a criminal scheme. In this article, we will provide a synopsis and review of the movie, which is based on a true story.
Synopsis
The movie is set in 1994 in Miami and centers around Daniel Lugo, a bodybuilder who has a history of imprisonment. He gets hired as the manager of Sun Gym by the owner, John Mese. Lugo becomes a popular trainer at the gym and befriends another bodybuilder named Adrian Doorbal. Victor Kershaw, a wealthy businessman, joins the gym and requests personal training with Lugo. However, Lugo envies Kershaw’s luxurious life and plans to kidnap him to seize his possessions.
Inspired by motivational speaker John Wu, Lugo, Doorbal, and Paul Doyle, a former prisoner trying to turn to Christianity, plan and execute the abduction of Kershaw. They hold him captive in a small warehouse and force him to sign over his assets under duress. They reach out to a notary, Mese, to legalize the transfer of assets. Mese hesitates at first but agrees when Lugo promises to promote him at future bodybuilding contests.
Despite acquiring all of Kershaw’s assets, Lugo cannot bring himself to release Kershaw as he fears Kershaw will incriminate them to the authorities. Lugo then proceeds to try to kill Kershaw by intoxicated driving. Unfortunately for Lugo, Kershaw survives the accident, but Lugo manages to set his car on fire, thinking that Kershaw burned to death. Doyle helps run over Kershaw’s body twice just to make sure he is dead.
However, Kershaw survives and manages to report the incident to the police. He hires a private detective, Ed Du Bois, to uncover the crimes committed by Lugo and his associates. In the end, the criminals get caught, and their fate is sealed.
Review
Pain & Gain is a fascinating movie that showcases the extreme lengths some might go to achieve their dreams. The performances by the cast are excellent, with Wahlberg and Johnson balancing the dark and comedic sides of their characters well.
The movie’s screenplay is witty and cleverly injects humor into some of the darkest moments of the story. It is refreshing to see a movie that does not take itself too seriously and embraces its absurdity. It is high-octane and action-packed that is complemented by the movie’s excellent soundtrack.
The movie’s biggest strength is its cast, with Wahlberg’s Daniel Lugo making an excellent anti-hero, and Johnson’s Paul Doyle is equally impressive. The supporting cast, including Mackie, Shalhoub, and Harris, all deliver strong performances that add to the movie’s overall appeal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pain & Gain is an entertaining movie that tells the story of the unimaginable crimes committed by a group of bodybuilders that aspired to the American Dream. The movie is well-directed, well-written, well-acted, and has a perfect blend of humor, action, and drama that will keep you engaged throughout. It exemplifies the notion that if we take shortcuts to achieve our dreams, we could face severe consequences. Pain & Gain is a must-watch for fans of crime-comedy movies.
