At first glance, Jesse Eisenberg’s second directorial project–developed in collaboration with actress Emma Stone–seems like your typical buddy road movie. However, it quickly proves itself to be so much more. For anyone who appreciates slow-paced films rich in character exploration, this one, starring Kieran Culkin alongside Eisenberg himself, is a superb choice.
We follow cousins David and Benji as they embark on a one-week Jewish heritage tour in the North East of Poland to honour their grandmother, a Holocaust survivor. Eisenberg drew inspiration for this film from his own family history, but also developed the idea from a darkly humorous advertisement: “Holocaust tour, with lunch”. This odd contradiction between deep historical trauma and the mundanity of modern tourism sets the stage for a particularly thought-provoking narrative.
Culkin’s performance is award-worthy, to say the least
The film explores conflicted feelings of “trauma tourism”, when visitors try to navigate sites of unimaginable suffering, yet pausing to take photos and enjoying a hearty lunch just after. Through David and Benji, audiences get an insight to the discomfort of wanting to engage with history meaningfully, yet inevitably inadequately.
At the same time, A Real Pain is just as much about the relationship between David, the self-conscious and uptight family man, and Benji, the outgoing guy who seems to drift through life and talks without a filter. Their bond is really what’s at the heart of this film–layered with love and shared childhood memories, as well as the strain of growing apart. What was once a close relationship is now filled with a sort of awkward tension as the two find themselves on diverging life paths.
A particularly poignant moment comes when Benji approaches Marcia, a woman in their travel group who is walking by herself. When his cousin tells him that maybe she just wants to be alone, Benji promptly replies “No one wants to be alone”. The weight of this statement lingers as audiences soon find that it relates to Benji’s own struggles.
A Real Pain strikes the perfect balance between deeply heavy emotions and comedic relief
Culkin’s performance is award-worthy, to say the least. He inhabits the role of Benji so effortlessly that it’s no surprise Eisenberg cast him without an audition. Culkin’s captivating charm and unpredictability simply captures the essence of Benji, making his presence on screen absolutely mesmerizing to watch.
The evolving dynamic between David and Benji throughout the film, in a way, mirrors the journey they are on: confronting a dark past they don’t really know how to confront and process, filled with guilt and grappling with inherited trauma. They cautiously try to reconnect and learn how to approach one another again, while also paying homage to their shared family history.
As someone with personal ties to Poland, I was especially delighted to see a fair representation of the country on screen–certainly a rare sight in mainstream cinema. But what stood out brilliantly to me was how the film captures the experience of visiting a Holocaust site. Anyone who has done so will probably agree that it’s incredibly difficult to articulate the weight of such places adequately. Yet, through its cinematography and the actor’s raw authenticity, the film conveys these emotions in a way words will often fail to do.
All in all, A Real Pain strikes the perfect balance between deeply heavy emotions and comedic relief. It left a lasting impression on me, personally. Given its well-earned recognition–including its recent nominations for the Academy Awards–I strongly urge everyone to see it.