Review of Pain & Gain (2013) by Jeremy G — 29 Jan 2014

Funny, ugly without being nasty, and apparently substantially true. Those who deplore this film for making the muscleheads "likeable" must live shallow lives with superficial friends - these guys ain't likeable, they are stupid, selfish, ignorant, homophobic, misogynistic cretins who happen to be reasonably attractive and occasionally charming. Con artists often have the gift of the gab, and assorted likeable traits; yet I did not find these guys likeable, and the film neither champions them nor endorses their actions. It does show them as bungling and cartoonish, occasionally conflicted but mostly lacking in self-awareness. It's played for dark laughs, because otherwise it would be relentlessly unappealing as entertainment, since all the major characters and are unpleasant and up to no good. The real kidnap victim, despite attacking the movie, was found guilty of tax fraud in the millions. I'd suggest he enjoy Tony Shalhoub's hilarious scenery chewing and be glad he wasn't written as merely very greedy and equally dull.

By no means a great film, perhaps a guilty pleasure, but despite all sorts of advance misgivings, I enjoyed myself throughout. It's not saying much, but after this I am infinitely more interested in what Michael Bay does next...which translates as, slightly. But here's hoping.