A Real Pain (2024)

​"A Real Pain" stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy, and Daniel Oreskes.  Released on November 1, 2024, the film has two mismatched cousins embarking on a tour through Poland.

The film was written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, who's known for writing and directing "When You Finish Saving the World".  With the last couple of months of 2024 upon us, there's no doubt that we're anticipating some intriguing "blockbusters" to cap off the year.  But, while most people are eager to watch magical witches, Christmas-saving heroes, and gladiators on the big screen, some are anticipating the recent potential contenders seeking to compete in this year's award season.  I'm on both sides of the cinematic coin, but when push comes to shove, I usually find the time to check out original movies that have interesting concepts, get awards buzz, or both.  This is one of those days.  This latest comedy drama comes to us from another actor turned filmmaker, Jesse Eisenberg, who made a solid first impression with "When You Finish Saving the World" two years ago.  Based on the early reception this film is getting, it sounds like Eisenberg made much of an improvement to prove himself worthy as a confident storyteller, especially when it involves dysfunctional families.  Does it deliver a heartwarming family trip worth remembering?  Let's find out.

The story follows David (Eisenberg) and Benji Kaplan (Culkin).  They're mismatched cousins who reunite for a Holocaust tour through Poland to honor their late grandmother.  As they explore the sights of Poland and learn about Jewish history, David and Benji confront numerous difficulties that could tear them apart.  One of them is the old tensions that separated them in the first place against the backdrop of their family history.

This was another film that got me eager to watch it the more times I watched the trailer.  I'm always in the mood for vacation comedy movies that offer shenanigans and charm, especially those involving exploring international countries.  But, more importantly, I was curious about Eisenberg's intentions as a filmmaker since I've been following the actor since the early 2010s.  Sure, I've only known him from "The Social Network", "Rio", "Zombieland", "Now You See Me", and even his controversial take on Lex Luthor, but outside those movies, he's proven to be quite consistent with his filmography.  I didn't find the time to watch "When You Finish Saving the World" when it first came out, mainly because its plot didn't capture my interest enough.  So, "A Real Pain" will be my first actual exposure to Eisenberg's filmmaking vision.

From the concept alone, "A Real Pain" may resemble another basic international trip scenario involving an estranged duo or group encountering a series of comical shenanigans overseas.  Of course, this leads to them attempting to survive each other amid the drama they come across.  However, it's actually a lot more complex and profound than we usually realize, transforming the film into something beautifully humane and poetic.  This film definitely had the humor and heart we've come to expect from the marketing, mainly from the estranged cousin duo.  But when you add in the layers of its enduring themes, it becomes a particular cinematic treat that left me feeling proud of being a human being.  In short, you can say that "A Real Pain" is not a pain to sit through.

One main reason was Jesse Eisenberg's vision in his direction and screenplay.  Eisenberg has reached the sophomore phase of his directorial career, where he has begun to grow as a visionary filmmaker.  That meant studying the pros and cons of their debut and using them to improve their craft and even explore the world through their eyes.  While I didn't watch "When You Finish Saving the World" beforehand, watching "A Real Pain" was enough to realize his remarkable talent as a filmmaker.  One of the things I loved about Eisenberg's direction was how he made every scene look straightforward but rich with beauty and complexity.  It may seem like we're watching the cousins fool around during the tour, but in reality, we're watching them reconnect after being estranged from a tragic loss while exploring their Jewish heritage.  He understood that the proper way to express its balance of comedy and drama is by examining the humane and often tragic side of this seemingly "harmless" endeavor without being manipulative in its sentimentality.  This combined extremely well with its impeccable cinematography and tight pacing that never skipped a beat with its narrative, further emphasizing Eisenberg as someone beyond their acting capabilities.

Regarding the screenplay, Eisenberg has also proven himself a remarkable storyteller who relies on his own history to reflect the tale he wants to tell instead of the usual conventional narrative tropes.  "A Real Pain" didn't just examine the cousins' estranged reunion but also explored the aspects of the Jewish community through the Holocaust tour, the key element of the characters's development.  From what I researched after watching the movie, Eisenberg was raised in a secular Jewish household, with his ancestry tracing back to Poland and Ukraine.  So, it made more sense why he wanted to explore this topic in a film like this.  It brought plenty of authenticity and tenderness to this community by examining the poignant human connection from its history, especially the Holocaust.  With a screenplay that thoughtfully portrays its commentary through dialogue and compassion, "A Real Pain" shows that it's not about the duo surviving each other.  It's about them confronting the fear of expressing the pain and sadness in their lives.

In addition to his directing and writing, Jesse Eisenberg continued to do incredibly well with his acting.  His performance as the repressed and pragmatic David was one of the best I've seen from the actor known for his socially awkward-type roles.  It also showed he can take his usual mannerisms in his roles and add a more genuine side to make his performance similar but unique.  However, the real star of the movie was Kieran Culkin.  I've only known Kieran from the "Home Alone" films and "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World", so you can say that I haven't been following him as much as his brother, Macaulay Culkin.  But after watching him in "A Real Pain", that could change sooner rather than later.  He was incredible in his role as Benji, a free-spirited and erratic drifter who hides his vulnerability with his boundary-pushing behavior.  Kieran Culkin has the energetic vibe that drives the movie's comedy, but he's also aware of the restraint given to make his character less irritating than he appeared to be.  This allowed Benji to shine as a flawed human being instead of a traditionally wacky source of comic relief.  The distinct personalities of David and Benji also helped provide an irresistible chemistry that's lively to a fault but also left me feeling rewarded with their uplifting spark.  The supporting cast also did very well with their performances, including Will Sharpe as James, the tour guide, and Jennifer Grey as Marcia.

Overall, "A Real Pain" is a beautiful and incredibly moving reflection of human connection that's painless in its craft and talent.  At first glance, it may seem like a straightforward dramedy filled with comical shenanigans and adult-rated material, but its layered themes show that that wasn't the case.  This is the type of movie that's short enough to make me feel less drained but still packs enough punches in its emotional depth, craft, and thoughtful commentary to satisfy my cinematic needs.  Eisenberg and Culkin were both fantastic in their roles, especially the latter, who may have a shot of earning some awards recognition.  But, I will also credit Eisenberg for his ability to provide comedy and drama with a humane and personal touch regarding the cinematography, direction, chemistry, and tightly-written screenplay.  This is undoubtedly one of the best movies I've seen this year, and if you haven't done so already, please find the time to check it out if it's playing at a theater near you.  It is such an outstanding film that I hope it gets more traction during this year's awards season.

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