ViewGuide

Created May 17, 2014 08:41AM PST • Edited May 17, 2014 08:41AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   The story is too crazy to have been made up (or someting like that) as the saying goes. Pain and Gain is a whirlwind crazed crime thriller that will leave you shaking your head when you remember it is a true story. The producers had to make this palatable, so they made the brilliant decision to make it (partly) a comedy. The dark and sometimes subtle lol moments are surgically inserted in to some really gruesome, manic, and head-scratching scenes. It was the comedy and the standout acting from Wahlberg, Johnson, Mackie and Shaloub that turned P&G in to some solid entertainment.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   Mark Wahlberg was well suited for Mr Muscle madness, and Dwayne Johnson also fits great as the burl, brawns, but no brains side-kick. Anthony Mackie conjured up Eddy Murphy for me, and Ed Harris’s tough schtick is top notch. However, my pick for this flick is Tony Shaloub, who generated the laughs despite the ugliness and mayhem.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

11. Direction Very Good 3.5

12. Play Very Good 3.5

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Sordid 3.4

17. Sex Erotic 3.4

18. Violence Brutal 3.4

19. Rudeness Profane 3.4

21. Reality

    Glib 1.5

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.5

23. Biological Glib 1.5

24. Physical Glib 1.5