Review: A Real Pain

Directed by: Jesse Eisenberg

Written by: Jesse Eisenberg

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan

Rating: [3.5/5]

Even when tied together by blood, family members can drift apart as a closeness that once existed can fade, as all relationships people hold with each other do. However, when this drifting does happen with family members, it comes with a higher degree of sadness given the ties that originally bound them together. This along with much more allows A Real Pain to bring a beautifully heartfelt story to the forefront, led by a very lovable cast. 

Following the passing of their grandmother, David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) utilize some money left behind for them to take a cultural trip to her homeplace in Poland. This trip also includes them taking a Jewish heritage tour and talking about the history of their people, which leaves the cousins at odds at times as their personalities continually clash with each other.  

Having David and Benji take a trip together presents an intriguing viewpoint on two very different personalities coming together for an experience that will undoubtedly emotionally impact them. It would simply be impossible to not have an emotional experience when reliving the memory of the Jewish folks that endured the worst of the Holocaust. For the two cousins, they have a familial tie to it all through their grandmother. A trip such as this one would likely be centered on reverence, but Benji’s personality does not allow that to transpire, with his very sarcastic demeanor making for much discomfort for David, especially when they join the rest of the tour group. 

When joining the group led by James (Will Sharpe), the cousins learn about the reasons for the others going on this tour as well. It allows for a true sobering moment for Benji, who cannot take anything seriously as he learns just how seriously the other participants take what they are about to experience. However, the sobering effect only goes so far, as he still manages to be himself in the way he makes comments that raise everyone’s eyebrows. He operates with minimal filtration, much to the chagrin of David. However, as this group spends more time together, they begin to appreciate what Benji brings to the group.

The degree to which I identify with David in this film frightens me, as his travel demeanor and approach to punctuality and following the rules match too closely to my general approach. Given his cousin represents the opposite, their approaches and their clashes allow for a beautiful coming together, as it forces them to confront elements of each other that need work and they never bring up because life gets in the way. From the moments where Benji allows David to sleep as they miss their train stop to smoking cannabis on a rooftop, they push each other’s buttons as their approaches differ. David wants to factually experience this trip while Benji really wants to feel it more than anything else. 

Jesse Eisenberg as David serves as the core of this film, which allows Kieran Culkin as Benji to thrive as this disruptive force. In all honesty, not many actors could pull off portraying this character with the level of likability Culkin manages to pull off. From the sarcasm to the outlandish comments made in all of the right times, Culkin makes this character very off-putting but then lands the emotionally vulnerable moments so well, making this such a fully realized character. It baffles me, even today, how Culkin won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in this film when he’s very much a co-lead in this. He leaves an impression like a lead and commands much of the screentime of this film like one. These two work perfectly off of each other to exhibit the complicated emotions these cousins feel for each other, ultimately culminating in what makes this film so enjoyable. 

Beautifully put together, comedically on point, and emotionally moving, A Real Pain sets out to complete every goal it sought through its narrative. Not only do the two leads thrive in their particular roles, but they also work with some solid supporting actors who each add some fun layers to the story as individuals going on a similar journey as the central pair. This film displays Jesse Eisenberg continuing to refine his skills as a writer and director while also doing what he does best in front of the screen, which is portraying socially awkward characters.