By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
With
"A Real Pain," Jesse Eisenberg proves his adeptness behind the camera as well as in front of it. The actor/director, who also penned the screenplay, follows up his 2022 directorial debut, "When You Finish Saving the World," with this deeply moving dramedy that explores grief, loss, and the complexities of family.
In "A Real Pain," Eisenberg plays David Kaplan, a no-nonsense, happily married man with a young son and a well-paying job. Despite his stable life, David has distanced himself from his cousin Benji, (a superb Kieran Culkin, (TV's "Succession" and "Solar Opposites").
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And you immediately see why. David and Benji could not be more different. David is responsible and dependable, while Benji is all about living in the moment—unemployed, drifting through life, and spending his days smoking weed and just getting by.
The two are embarking on a Jewish-heritage tour in Poland, a trip funded by the inheritance left to them by their late grandmother, who was from Lublin and survived the Holocaust. Now, after much planning, they're finally heading there to honor her memory and legacy.
David is hopeful that this journey to Poland, will not only deepen their connection to their Jewish heritage but also bring him and Benji closer.
Benji, on the other hand, is excited, but approaches the trip with his carefree attitude. But he does show up at the airport long before David. So that's something. Or is it?
As the trip progresses, Benji becomes increasingly unhinged, particularly when he meets their eclectic tour group, each with their own reasons for visiting this historical region.
The group includes retirees Mark and Diane (Daniel Oreskes, "Only Murders in the Building") and Liza Sadovy ("Mother Teresa & Me"), divorcee Marcia (Jennifer Grey, "Gwen Shamblin: Starving for Salvation"), Rwandan genocide survivor and Jewish convert Eloge (Kurt Egyiawan, "House of the Dragon"), and their British tour guide, James (Will Sharpe, "The White Lotus").
Benji's crude, often offensive remarks quickly alienate everyone, leaving James visibly taken aback and the rest of the group perplexed and uncomfortable.
David, mortified by his cousin's behavior, tries to apologize and smooth things over, but it's clear that everyone is left wondering how someone like Benji could possibly be related to David.
But we gain deeper insight into their fractured relationship, uncovering the painful past that led to their estrangement and offering a glimpse into why Benji is so adrift.
Eisenberg's screenplay weaves uncomfortable and emotionally charged moments—especially during the group’s visit to a concentration camp—with moments of humor and poignancy.
Culkin's portrayal of Benji is so convincing that you can’t help but despise him, yet as the layers of his troubled past are peeled back, the film skillfully evokes sympathy for his chaotic behavior.
The emotional depth of "A Real Pain" paired with the authenticity of the performances by Eisenberg and Culkin, is what makes it such a remarkable movie.
Listen To This Q&A with Kieran Culin
"A REAL PAIN"
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"A REAL PAIN"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Critics Choice Association, The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
