The story follows three bodybuilders (Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Mackie, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson). They long for the American dream, but can't seem to get reach it. They lift, they get huge, but don't get the money. Daniel Lugo (Wahlberg) comes up with a great plot to kidnap one of the rich, mean customers that shows up to the gym he works at. Now this seems like a very basic plot, and that it isn't very interesting, but there is a lot more to it that that. The movie actually has a very dark story. This movie is a black comedy and definitely shows it throughout most of the film (Bay is somehow is able to make a comedy out of a dark story). The last portion of the movie really turn the tone around, and matches that dark tone of the actual true story. It becomes serious, and you see the effects of what these pumped up lifters have done. This movie is based of a true story, and the film even reminds you half way through that it is indeed a true story. It is a weird, funny yet unbelievably dark film. From first look at the trailers, you would think this is a movie like Bad Boys (action comedy), but it is not. Pain & Gain is on its own level.

Starring:

Anthony Mackie, Dwayne Johnson, Ed Harris, Ken Jeong, Kurt Angle, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Rispoli, Rebel Wilson, Rob Corddry, Tony Plana, Tony Shalhoub, William Haze

Genre:

Action, Comedy, Crime