As a seasoned gamer and a connoisseur of emotional narratives, I find myself drawn to stories that mirror the complexities of human relationships and the struggles we face in our daily lives. “A Real Pain” is a testament to the power of storytelling, especially when it comes to depicting the intricate dynamics between family members.
Pain is the great equalizer. Rich or poor, we all suffer torment. Nobody’s heart is impervious to emotional pain. The way we deal with that pain, though, that’s where variations come into play. Some of us grapple with internal suffering through lashing out at others. Another person may just bottle up all those emotions, never letting them hit the surface. There are endless ways to cope with sorrow puncturing our souls. Some of those maneuvers are unhealthy. A few actually help us grow as people. Nearly all of them are messy. These jagged lives we lead inevitably involve equally messy anguish.
I certainly don’t know how to erase or even masterfully process that sadness. I don’t think anyone does. Least of all the two cousins at the heart of Jesse Eisenberg’s second directorial effort, A Real Pain.
David (Jesse Eisenberg) is feeling jittery. He’s en route to the airport for a flight to Poland, but his cousin Benji (Kieran Culkin) isn’t answering his calls. Upon reaching his destination, however, Benji welcomes him warmly, averting any potential crisis between them. With their reunion complete, the pair are now ready to board their plane and travel to Poland. Here, they will join a guided tour, led by James (Will Sharpe), exploring the land where their grandmother once resided. Their grandma recently passed away, and this group of descendants aim to honor her memory as a Holocaust survivor who left an indelible impact on their lives.
Benji felt an incredibly deep bond with his late grandmother, which fuels his determination to make this journey a solemn, emotional experience. On the other hand, cautious and apprehensive David is simply trying to keep pace with Benji. As they traverse Poland, they’ll come across numerous vestiges of history – colossal monuments honoring Jewish fighters or ancient towns filled with mysterious structures serving as poignant reminders of yesteryears. Yet, they will also have to confront the present. Each person carries their own pain, and that includes David and Benji. Just like everyone else, they struggle to cope with their emotions.
Although tackling such heavy subject matter (such as a subtly heart-wrenching tour of a concentration camp), “A Real Pain” surprisingly offers a comforting cinematic experience. This could simply be my personal preferences, but I’ve frequently found solace in movies that portray raw emotional turmoil. It’s reassuring to know others have experienced similar feelings. Even fictional characters undergo recognizable, relatable psychological struggles. The soothing ambiance of “A Real Pain” is amplified by the soft, stunning visuals captured by Eisenberg and cinematographer Michał Dymek during their tour of Poland.
On beautiful sunny days, our main characters stroll beneath leafy trees, with rays of light filtering through the tree gaps, creating a bright and soothing ambiance. There’s something incredibly invigorating about the breathtaking natural scenery filling up a cinema screen. Additionally, a series of shots showcasing various locations in a Polish town, accompanied by tour guide James explaining their historical significance, are equally captivating. The buildings themselves are intriguingly designed, and this sequence serves as a reminder of how much history lies hidden in plain sight. A place where significant events occurred in one era can transform into an ordinary bookstore by 2024.
In the movie A Real Pain, the emotional scenes are complemented by soothing pieces that predominantly feature piano, combined with other orchestral instruments. Since no composer is credited for these tracks in the film, it’s unclear who created them. I may not be well-versed in classical music, having grown up listening to country artists like Toby Keith and Florida Georgia Line, but the captivating piano melodies in A Real Pain make a significant impact. They lend an air of sophistication to this contemporary narrative. The characters, who are very much products of 2024, find themselves immersed in a score that echoes the past they’re delving into and struggling with.
In many parts of “A Real Pain,” it’s hard not to simply smile and agree, particularly during its humorous scenes featuring David and Benji’s misadventures in Poland. However, there is a deeper, darker tone running throughout the story, effectively portrayed by Kieran Culkin’s performance. This actor has gained recognition lately due to his role as Roman Roy on “Succession,” but even before that HBO series, he had an innate ability to convey a casual demeanor while hiding deeper complexity beneath the surface. He can project confidence, yet also emit a sense of genuine, vulnerable humanity. Just watch his standout performances in “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” where he played Wallace Wells, a character who seemed effortlessly cool but could also express quiet frustration or determination when interacting with the film’s main character. This role perfectly encapsulated Culkin’s unique acting style.
Once again, the gift proves useful for “A Real Pain,” as Macaulay Culkin portrays a character contrasting significantly with Roman Roy. It’s not merely that Benji openly despises the wealthy; rather, it’s the stark difference in personality. Unlike the gloomy and isolated Roman, who showed little regard for others, Benji is an open book, full of life and curiosity. He frequently finds himself captivated by the lives of those around him, even casual acquaintances at airports. Compared to the reserved David, Benji is a veritable fountain of emotions, freely expressing his thoughts and feelings when something’s on his mind.
Macaulay Culkin brings a worn-in authenticity and intense dedication to his portrayal of the character Benji, infusing him with both lovable exuberance and frustratingly irritating traits. This intricate character, skillfully played by our actor, is at once adorable and exasperating. Regardless, Benji never stumbles over his words or actions. His performance is captivating, with moments that tug at your heartstrings in a powerful way. The complexity of this character unfolds in a fascinatingly unpredictable manner through Culkin’s acting. At times, he subtly conveys the character’s pain in a hauntingly quiet manner. Other times, he convincingly portrays Benji’s demanding, annoying behavior that serves as a desperate plea for help.
In Eisenberg’s 2022 directorial debut, “When You Finish Saving the World“, the portrayal of mother-son dynamics felt overly generalized and lacking in detail. However, it must be said that Eisenberg truly excelled with his subsequent filmmaking project. His script beautifully captures the authenticity of Benji and David’s interaction. The strain in their relationship, built up over years, is palpable even as they maintain a façade of cheerfulness for their tour group. It’s also noteworthy that Eisenberg shows great confidence (as both screenwriter and director) in allowing silence to fill the spaces in “A Real Pain“.
In this film, scenes of characters wandering through various Polish locations are prominently shown. There’s no spoken dialogue, only the soft echoes of piano notes or silence in certain key moments. These silent visuals create a sense of intrigue and mystery. For instance, as David strides solemnly through a Polish town, one can’t help but wonder about his thoughts. Similarly, when Benji gazes at the remnants of a concentration camp, we can only guess what he might be contemplating. Often, it’s challenging to decipher the inner workings of those close to us. A Real Pain skillfully replicates this difficulty in these dialogue-free sequences, which are among the most impactful in this poignant exploration of dealing with pain.
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2024-11-08 20:15