A Real Pain (USA & Poland, 2024)
In his second directorial effort, A Real Pain, Jesse Eisenberg takes a more personal route, exploring themes of heritage, family bonds, and healing in the aftermath of loss, drawing from his own experience traveling to Poland following the death of his Holocaust-survivor grandmother. Known for his roles in offbeat dramas, Eisenberg blends road-trip comedy with serious reflections on cultural legacy.
The film follows cousins David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin), who reconnect after the death of their grandmother, a Holocaust survivor. Once close, their relationship has since strained due to their differing personalities and the responsibilities of adult life. After her passing, they set off on a journey to Poland to visit her childhood home and the town where she grew up, accompanied by a quirky tour group that adds some lightheartedness to their emotional journey. Blending comedy, family drama, and reflections on the Holocaust, A Real Pain presents a journey that is both amusing and poignant, where moments of humor are intertwined with the weight of family history and personal loss.
Following his well-received When You Finish Saving the World, Eisenberg takes another step forward as a director with A Real Pain, grounding the story in family dynamics that are both authentic and multifaceted. The director does a good job with the tone of the film, aided by classic Chopin compositions. It creates a lightweight atmosphere, moving effortlessly from the cringe comedy involving Culkin’s character to the darker scenes involving the holocaust.
Yet, he film’s strength lies in the chemistry between Eisenberg and Culkin, whose contrasting personalities create a natural blend of humor and emotional depth. Eisenberg skillfully portrays David’s anxious tendencies, while Culkin’s laid-back charisma offers a fun contrast, making their odd-couple relationship feel grounded and relatable. Eisenberg’s portrayal of David’s frustrations feels deeply personal, especially when he finds humor in his own neuroses—like the early scenes where David awkwardly tries to arrange a reunion with Benji over the phone. But it’s Culkin’s ability to blend humor with emotional depth that truly elevates the film, constantly hinting at more beneath Benji’s carefree exterior, much like his work in Succession.
While the road trip to Poland, inspired by Eisenberg’s real-life experiences, adds depth to the film, it doesn’t fully capture the emotional weight it hints at. The visit to the concentration camp is well-executed, but the film doesn’t delve as deeply into honoring their grandmother’s legacy as expected. What’s truly missing, however, is the emotional culmination of the cousins’ relationship. A poignant rooftop scene builds the expectation of a deeper connection, but it ends too abruptly. Ultimately, the film falls short of the emotionally resonant character arcs seen in Alex Payne’s films like The Holdovers or Sideways, leaving their journey without the closure it needs.
Still, A Real Pain remains a breezy and pleasant watch, enhanced by solid performances from the lead actors and the quirky tour group. The film highlights Kieran Culkin’s talents beyond Succession and offers a promising glimpse into Eisenberg’s potential as a director. While it never fully reaches greatness, it stands as a thoughtful exploration of family legacy and personal growth, even if it ultimately misses the emotional culmination that could have made the journey truly memorable.