A Real Pain
After their beloved grandmother dies, cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) decide to take a Holocaust tour of her homeland, Poland, but as their journey progresses, David realizes that he had forgotten Benji could be "A Real Pain."
Laura's Review: A-
But that is not the only interpretation of the title of writer/director/star Jesse Eisenberg's ("When You Finish Saving the World") deft, insightful screenplay, which could also be applied to his own character as well as well as historical and personal pain. Eisenberg's film cuts both ways, as an often very funny comedy as well as a gut punch of self realization and the attendant (and ironic) self absorption which blinds us to the pain of others.
Eisenberg's David is another of his anxiety-ridden characters, but this one will go on a journey of self-discovery that cuts deep. We meet him making a ridiculous number of phone calls informing Benji, who never answers, of his progress to the airport. He's greeted by the cousin who was there all along, their very different natures immediately apparent. While David plans and fusses, Benji takes thing as they come, usually favoring his own agenda, such as when he presses a warm yogurt on David when he wants to eat before boarding, then claims the window seat leaving his cousin crushed in the middle.
But Benji is also an exuberant companion, one who admires David's 'graceful' feet as they prepare to shower in their Warsaw hotel room (David will spend the rest of the trip regarding them whenever he has the chance). That open enthusiasm is unfiltered, however, as will be exhibited when they're collected by their tour group leader, James (Will Sharpe, HBO's 'White Lotus'), who asks for introductions. Diane (Liza Sadovy) and Mark Binder (Daniel Oreskes) describe themselves as 'boring,' a Jewish couple recently retired. Marcia Kramer ("Dirty Dancing's" Jennifer Grey) is recently divorced and reacting to the woman she saw herself becoming, a 'lady who lunches.' Eloge (Kurt Egyiawan) floors them all with his tale of having survived Rwandan genocide, then being welcomed by a Jewish community in Canada and deciding to convert. 'Oh snap!' interjects Benji, embarrassing David, as will his uninhibited use of foul language.
Walking along, Benji will notice that Marsha is by herself and although David suggests she might want to be alone, Benji steps in, hilariously asking if she's alone because she's some kind of loser. David is continually amazed at how behavior he finds unacceptable is cause for amusement among the group, something which is slammed home when Benji organizes a group photo interacting with a WWII battle memorial while David, having refused to participate at the onset thinking it disrespectful, stands back, taking their photographs.
But Benji's sudden declaration that the group shouldn't be traveling in first class on a train because they are Jews of Polish descent is a warning signal to all that his outbursts are not only not always charming, but suggest something amiss. James the British academic tries to smooth things over with talk of triggering events happening during a Holocaust tour but Mark is the first outside of David to note irritation.
To make matters worse, David goes to the back of the train to bring Benji his food and when he falls asleep, something Benji has derided him for, calling him a 'lightweight' for his inability to party all night, Benji allows him to sleep past their destination. And yet the sensitivity David recognizes in Benji is on full display returning from the Majdanek concentration camp, Benji sobbing quietly on the bus. Everything will come to a head at a group dinner after David shares something that their, especially Benji's, beloved grandmother said which causes Benji to storm off. David overshares with the group, noting the love and frustration he has for his cousin, who, he informs them, tried to commit suicide six months earlier. The two will split off to visit their grandmother's home where David will try to behave more like his cousin and fail miserably.
Culkin has the showier role here and he pulls it off beautifully, always walking right up to the line of outrageousness, then either turning it into fun or turning it against everyone in his orbit, the very picture of manic depression. Eisenberg cleverly introduces Benji with the same shot he leaves him with us and, considering the latter's juxtaposition with David's joyous Brooklyn homecoming, what it suggests is devastating. Eisenberg too initially makes David seem anxious and easily manipulated, only to reveal deeper conflicts, love and concern for the cousin who was once like a brother wrestling with jealousy over Benji's ability to grab the spotlight while he's overlooked in its shadow. Eisenberg's script also delves into the issue of pain and empathy, considering the relevance of modern day problems cast against the horrors of the past. The road trip production, accompanied by a classical score, serves the story perfectly.
Eisenberg, who is also a playwright and author, has taken a huge step up with his sophomore film. "A Real Pain" features numerous laughs while leaving us in thoughtful contemplation.
Robin's Review: B+
Searchlight Pictures releases "A Real Pain" in select theaters on 11/1/24, expanding on 11/15/24.
