Review: David Yates’ ‘Pain Hustlers’ Lacks a More Careful Treatment
by Manuel São Bento
October 26, 2023
For many viewers, the star power of Emily Blunt and Chris Evans will undoubtedly be the primary draw for Pain Hustlers, the new film made by David Yates debuting on Netflix on October 27th. Their names alone are enough to pique the interest of a wide audience, given their consistent track record of impressive performances in various genres and hit movies. Personally, I find the fact that it’s only English filmmaker David Yates’ third directorial effort outside of the Harry Potter franchise the most attention-grabbing element of this Netflix endeavor. His successful work within The Wizarding World has solidified him as a talented director, but seeing how Yates approaches a different kind of true story is an interesting prospect.
Pain Hustlers revolves around a shocking true story in the pharmaceutical field that exposes the disturbing side of human greed and the lengths some people are willing to go to for their own gain. Wells Tower writes his first-ever screenplay and does a decent job of conveying the harrowing events while shedding light on the grave consequences of placing wealth & ambition above humanity & health. The narrative is effective in explaining what transpired, leaving viewers with a clear understanding of what really happened, despite lacking originality – it’s a pretty by-the-numbers “based on a real story” flick that overstays its welcome.
Liza Drake (Blunt) and Pete Brenner (Evans) are the main characters in the story within Pain Hustlers, or better yet, they’re the real people behind such unbelievably inhumane plotting. Both navigate morally grey territory but show contrasting signs of unease, care, and ultimately some regret. Blunt delivers a remarkable performance, showcasing her enormous talent and emotional depth, which are way too good for this type of film. On the other hand, while some may question his casting in such a cynical role, Evans seems to revel in his character’s antagonistic, unempathetic nature. Both carry the movie for as long as they can, but…
Pain Hustlers stumbles in its tonal balance. Yates takes a somewhat light-hearted approach to a dark, tragic story. The deaths of innocent victims due to the relentless obsession of others become more of a backdrop to character arcs than a central narrative point. This will inevitably lead to comments about the “bad taste” of the filmmaker in handling such a sensitive subject. The lack of genuine impact given to these deaths may alienate some viewers who expect a more respectful portrayal of the victims’ suffering, but the severity of this problem may also depend on geographical factors.
American audiences, especially those familiar with the actual events Pain Hustlers is based on, will probably find the light tone potentially more insensitive than viewers from other parts of the world. Having a direct or even indirect connection to the real story can make the casual treatment of serious subject matters seem callous, while international viewers approaching the film with fresh eyes and a lack of prior knowledge may not feel said insensitivity. These distinct perspectives underscore the importance of filmmakers striking a careful balance when adapting true stories, especially those that may be familiar to an audience already.
Final Thoughts
David Yates’ Pain Hustlers fulfills the basic requirement of explaining the harrowing true story effectively, but given its star leads and skillful director at the helm, it could have and probably should have been much better. While Emily Blunt and Chris Evans deliver strong performances, director David Yates falters in his tonal balance, treating the deaths of many innocent victims with an uncomfortable lightness that may leave viewers, especially American’s familiar with this story, feeling it’s insensitive or irresponsible. Thematically, the tragic consequences of obsessing over wealth leading to the detriment of other’s lives are well-depicted, but the overall lack of originality and extended runtime make the whole thing a mixed experience.
Manuel’s Rating: C+
Follow Manuel on Twitter – @msbreviews / Or Letterboxd – @msbreviews
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