A Real Pain Review
Introduction
As a reviewer, I usually leave the theater with a clear focus for my review and a general idea of my final rating. However, after watching A Real Pain at my local AMC, I found myself at a loss. Even now, I'm unsure about the direction of this review or my final rating. I have a few ideas, but they're all very vague.
Some critics would balk at this approach, and I wouldn't blame them. The conventional wisdom among reviewers and critics is to have a core idea before writing your review. To those people, I would say that I didn't go to college, and I'm a fan of movies more than a critic.
So, what ideas do I have? That's a great question. Writer-director-star Jesse Eisenberg delivers a solid film exploring trauma, anxiety, and family bonds while offering insightful commentary on third-generation European immigrants. Kieran Culkin gives an excellent supporting performance, and I hope The Walt Disney Studios' awards team seriously considers campaigning for him. The cinematography by Michal Dymek drives home the film's message without any dialogue. However, Eisenberg's pacing, utilization of supporting performers, and worldbuilding could use significant improvement.
Plot Overview
(From L-R): Kurt Egyiawan, Will Sharpe, Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in A Real Pain. Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
A Real Pain follows cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) as they journey to their grandmother's ancestral home in Poland following her death. As the two join a Holocaust heritage tour led by guide James (Will Sharpe), old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family's history. The once-close cousins, now estranged, must navigate their complicated relationship while confronting their family's painful history and their own cultural identities.
Performances
Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in A Real Pain. Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures, © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
Prepare to be surprised if you expect Eisenberg and Culkin to play their typical roles. While Eisenberg portrays his familiar overly anxious type, his performance goes much deeper, with moments of anguish, heartfelt confession, and a more nuanced take on the anxious trope. Meanwhile, Culkin surprisingly embraces a carefree attitude, amplifying his sass while delivering much of the film's emotional depth through passionate speeches about his cultural experiences.
Together, Eisenberg and Culkin immaculately paint a picture of estranged family members. Their interactions highlight the vast chasm that has grown between them, a small but impactful touch I appreciated.
Given the added nuance to their performances and some standout scenes, I hope Disney campaigns both actors for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.
However, the supporting cast, including Will Sharpe as tour guide James and the other tour participants Marcia (Jennifer Grey), Eloge (Kurt Egyiawan), Diane (Liza Sadovy), Mark (Daniel Oreskes), and Priya (Ellora Torchia), feel underutilized. While this likely isn't the performers' fault, their lack of impact is noticeable in a film that is ostensibly as much about the people taking place in the journey as the journey itself.
Direction and Writing
Writer/Director Jesse Eisenberg on the set of A Real Pain. Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures, © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
Eisenberg's direction and writing in A Real Pain suggest his strengths might be better suited toward slice-of-life or anthology storytelling rather than narrative filmmaking. For example, a scene where David and Benji discuss how close they used to be and question what happened provides just enough vague details for viewers to fill in the blanks. Eisenberg shines here because the answer isn't as important as the conversation.
In a later scene, David and Benji get off at the wrong train stop and have to backtrack. The film briefly becomes a race against time, resolved quickly within minutes. This scene leaves the audience wanting more details, but Eisenberg seems uninterested in elaborating.
As an audience member and critic, I found this inconsistent storytelling approach sometimes left me uncertain about the film's focus. Is it a character study, a family drama, or a broader exploration of Jewish identity and Holocaust remembrance? While all these elements are present, they don't always cohere into a unified narrative.
Cinematography
Writer/Director Jesse Eisenberg on the set of A Real Pain. Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures, © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
Cinematographer Michal Dymek's work tells much of the story. Whether it's David appearing small within the frame or a montage of Lublin, Poland, as James narrates its history, these moments elevate A Real Pain from a simple buddy drama into a profound meditation on history and identity.
Editing
Robert Nassau, known for editing comedic dramas like The Big Sick and Hello, My Name is Doris, keeps the pacing brisk without sacrificing character moments. Nassau's work complements Dymek's cinematography, enhancing the visual storytelling and performances.
Music and Sound Design
The sound design in A Real Pain is subtle but effective, adding emotional depth and texture to the film. While there isn't a standout score, Eisenberg's choice to use Chopin's piano compositions (played by Israeli-Canadian pianist Tzvi Erez) fits perfectly with the film's Polish setting and melancholic tone.
Eisenberg's decision to remove all music during a scene set at a concentration camp is particularly striking. The silence speaks volumes, letting the weight of history and the characters' emotions fill the space. It's a powerful choice that shows Eisenberg's growing confidence as a director.
Handling of Holocaust Tourism
(From L-R): Kieran Culkin, Jennifer Gray, Jesse Eisenberg, Kurt Egyiawan, David Oreskes and Will Sharpe in A Real Pain. Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures, © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
A Real Pain doesn't shy away from the sensitive subject of Holocaust tourism, and it's in these moments that Eisenberg's writing shines. The film captures the complex emotions that arise when trying to honor a painful history while also being a tourist.
David and Benji's different reactions to the tour are likely to be the most discussed aspect of the film. While David maintains an anxious and reverent spirit, Benji poses for a selfie amongst statues of Jewish heroes. It's funny yet thought-provoking, prompting reflection on how we engage with painful historical events.
Eisenberg doesn't preach, but he does raise some thought-provoking questions. For example, is it okay to turn tragedy into a tourist attraction? And how do you balance remembering the past with living in the present?
The tour scenes showcase Dymek's cinematography. Without dialogue, the camera conveys how these places and their history affect the characters.
At times, the Holocaust tourism element feels somewhat disconnected from David and Benji's story. Although it may cause occasional discomfort, the Holocaust tourism aspect enhances the film's exploration of Jewish identity and family history, leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll.
Score and Recommendation
Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin on the set of A Real Pain. Photo by Agata Grzybowska, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures, © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
Despite weaknesses in direction, writing, and supporting performances, A Real Pain shines with standout performances from Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin, complemented by Michal Dymek's award-worthy cinematography.
For viewers willing to explore themes of family, trauma, and cultural heritage, A Real Pain provides a thought-provoking, though imperfect, journey.
★★★ out of 5 stars
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