33/41
Benji Kaplan: That, folks, is what filmmaking is all about
Story
Mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour of Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd couple’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.. When Benji and David visit their grandmother’s house in Poland, the location is where Jesse Eisenberg' His real-life ancestors settled in the diaspora.. Referenced in Amanda the Jedi Show: The Best and Weirdest Movies That (mostly) you haven’t seen them yet | Love Lies Bleeding (2024).
But Culkin is just annoying
(Seen at a preview in Bristol as part of the London Film Festival) I had high hopes for ‘A Real Pain’; but despite a few funny moments and moving speeches, there are simply far too many areas where it fails. The biggest positive is Jesse Eisenberg himself. The writer/director anchors the film as David, a quirky but successful New Yorker who invites his cousin Benji (Kieran Culkin) on a trip to Poland to pay his respects to his grandmother and reflect on their personal struggles. Eisenberg is believable and likable and is at the center of the best scenes.
but these British ears were sorely disappointed
It’s an energetic performance, no doubt, but his volatility and inability to read a situation means he’s the kind of person you’d try to get rid of within minutes of meeting them. It is hard to believe that he is becoming the star attraction of the tour group. Will Sharpe is also very poor as a tour guide, putting on an effective Yorkshire accent for comedic effect – perhaps American ears might not be so bothered by this. The role would have been much stronger if it had been played straight.
Situations develop, or are assumed to have developed, without any obvious cause or solution
The rest of the cast have small roles, but Jennifer Gray (yes, Jennifer Grey) and Kurt Egyiawan stand out, adding authenticity to their characters. Aside from the variable performances, there is a general sense that the scenes were improvised and made up as they went along. For a drama to succeed – and at its core, this is a drama – there must be tension in the script and story development that “A Real Pain”; shortages. Any build-up momentum is easily lost – I was checking the clock after half an hour, and the film feels long, even though it’s less than 90 minutes long.
A missed opportunity
Oh, and there are times when it feels like a promotion for the Polish tourist board – don’t get me wrong, it made me want to visit, I just don’t think that’s the role of a feature film. "A Real Pain" suggests that you have something important to say about the pain, but can never find the right words. See the full lineup for the 62nd New York Film Festival this fall.
