A Real Pain 2024 - A Complete Movie Review

A Real Pain, available on Afdah, the second feature from actor/writer/director Jesse Eisenberg, merges the elements of a mismatched buddy dramedy with a travel narrative. In this film, parts of Poland evolve from mere backdrop to a character in its own right. At times, the setting even eclipses the human actors as the story unfolds. The film spans approximately 90 minutes, during which not much occurs externally. It centers on two cousins, Benji and David Kaplan, who journey to their grandmother's homeland following her recent passing, seeking to comprehend the difficulties she faced in her life. Throughout their travels, they experience moments of connection, disconnection, and reconnection. Their story predates the film and will persist beyond its conclusion. The cousins explore Poland as part of a small tour group, beginning in Warsaw and continuing to locations such as Lublin. The group consists of everyone except the leader, an engaging British man named James, who is Jewish. Marcia, traveling alone, is attempting to navigate her future after her husband unexpectedly left her. Additionally, there is an older couple, Mark and Diane, and Eloge, a convert to Judaism who found solace in the faith after surviving the Rwandan genocide. While Eisenberg allows the secondary characters their moments, the primary focus remains on Benji and David. To fully appreciate A Real Pain, viewers must embrace the dynamic between the two cousins as they traverse Poland. The intricacies of their relationship form the core of the screenplay. With contrasting personalities—Benji being outgoing, possibly bipolar, and charismatic, while David, a married man with a young child, is more reserved and often feels overshadowed by Benji's exuberance—their interactions are marked by a unique tension. They may seem like oil and vinegar, yet at times, when stirred together, they create a harmonious blend.

A Real Pain does not culminate in a dramatic emotional peak. Its emotional authenticity ensures that it avoids manipulation. The film concludes in a subdued manner, consistent with its overall tone. While there are instances of humor woven into the screenplay, the narrative leans more towards drama than comedy. This is particularly evident during a somber visit to a concentration camp. A film with such a minimalist storyline heavily depends on dialogue and performances. In terms of dialogue, Eisenberg has crafted enough compelling exchanges to maintain viewer interest. The two lead performances are outstanding, with Eisenberg choosing a more understated approach compared to Culkin, who delivers most of the memorable lines and impactful moments. His name is likely to appear prominently on the lists of this year’s award nominations. In a comparison to The Odd Couple, Eisenberg embodies Jack Lemmon while Culkin takes on the role of Walter Matthau.

The supporting cast mainly consists of lesser-known actors, with the notable exception of Jennifer Grey, who is barely recognizable as Marcia, having once starred in Dirty Dancing. The score predominantly features piano compositions, heavily influenced by Chopin. However, the abundance of music becomes repetitive and distracting. While I understand the rationale behind this choice, it occasionally feels excessive. Watching this film, I was strongly reminded of Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise. Both films share similar rhythms and explore comparable themes, including extensive walking through an unfamiliar city, engaging in conversation, and forming connections. The key distinction is that this film lacks a romantic element. Nevertheless, the parallels are hard to overlook. A Real Pain is likely to resonate most with audiences who appreciate films where conflict is internalized and where genuine, uncomplicated human interactions take precedence.