Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Pain and Gain (2013)

What is it about? 

The true story of a group of bodybuilders, who kidnap and extort their way to wealth, get caught up in a myriad of situations which not only result in their capture, but reveals their insane stupidity. 

Who is in it? 

Mark Wahlberg - Daniel Lugo

Dwayne Johnson - Paul Doyle

Anthony Mackie - Adrian Doorbal

Tony Shalhoub - Victor Kershaw

Favorite Scene:

After coming up with the idea to kidnap Kershaw, the three members of the Sun Gym crew engage in various ridiculous schemes on how to kidnap Kershaw, one involving costumes of suits of ninjas and aliens.

Favorite Quote: 

Paul Doyle: We go through with this, nobody gets hurt right?
Daniel Lugo: No, man! We snatch him, we grab him, signs a few signature, we give him a protein shake! He won't even know what happened! I watched a lot of movies Paul, I know what I'm doing!

Review: 

This is such a weird film. Not because it's awkward and unique, but because you simply cannot believe that this is based on a true story. In fact, during the film, as the shenanigans are going on, the makers remind you with a caption on the bottom that says, "this is STILL a true story". Just good stuff. 

Honestly, getting past the idea of this film being true will blow your mind enough that you will immediately look up the true story afterwards online, which really wasn't altered all too much for Hollywood. 

As for the film, the real plot is made for film, and it provides a weird "three stooges" feel as the body builders from the Sun Gym goof and gaff their way through situations which are just downright stupid. Yet, at the same time, their reasoning throughout the crimes make for hilarious moments, some which are subtle enough to really make you crack up. How can you not love "The Rock" sitting in a Pontiac Fiero? 

As always, Wahlberg continues to grow into one of my all-time favorites, and Dwayne Johnson (He'll always be The Rock to me) and Anthony Mackie are great in their supporting roles. 

This film isn't one that will blow you away, but is intriguing enough because of the absolutely too-good-to-be-true plot. 

Review: 3/5
Labels:

Recently Read

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions.  121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden?  Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability?  This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d...
Read more

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/13/26

The Sunday Sundown Rundown (formerly in the format of "3 Up and 3 Down") is where I share thoughts on three topics that piqued my interest, along with my favorite photo from the week. 25th Anniversary of 9/11 It is sort of hard to imagine that it has been twenty-five years since that awful day. It's been fifteen years since I've shared my experience as a High Schooler in Brooklyn, NY , and everything that came with that day (and the many to follow afterwards).  The world changed, and to this day, it still feels hard to grasp what happened (and what transpired with the health of so many afterwards). The lives lost, and the damage done. My son learned about 9/11, and his questions around it ignite some of that struggle with thought around it.  Daddy, how did they get the planes?  Did the building just, like, fall over?  On this 25th anniversary, it is even more concerning to see how the day is also politicized and sometimes weaponized in culture wars. I remember Americ...
Read more

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/20/26

The Sunday Sundown Rundown (formerly in the format of "3 Up and 3 Down") is where I share thoughts on three topics that piqued my interest, along with my favorite photo from the week. Gas Prices Up and Up and Up.  It feels like these prices just continue to make life expensive and worrisome in so many ways. If it's not the price of our usual weekly trip, it's the sky-high cost of diesel that is affecting the cost of goods.  Yeah, I'm complaining. Aren't you as well? White House Press Ban Is it me, or is this as random as it comes from this administration?  Look, there are not a lot of things going well, especially as midterms approach. Maybe you might differ. I really value the insight and opinions of those enjoying the current landscape shaped by our political leaders.  But suddenly banning networks feels not only unconstitutional; it just feels like a misdirection.  Hey, look over here at this...not this, and this, and maybe that!  Also, it feels tiring. ...
Read more