Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy, Daniel Oreskes
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Director: Jesse Eisenberg
In Irish Cinemas: 8th January 2025
“A Real Pain,” directed by Jesse Eisenberg, delves deeply into the intricacies of family relationships and the enduring impact of grief. The story centres on two estranged cousins, David (played by Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (portrayed by Kieran Culkin), who embark on a poignant journey through Poland to pay tribute to their recently departed grandmother. This seemingly straightforward road-trip narrative serves as a compelling backdrop, placing the emotional weight squarely on the shoulders of the characters and allowing the actors’ performances to take centre stage.
Eisenberg delivers his most nuanced performance since The Social Network, skillfully balancing vulnerability and restrained humour. On the other hand, Kieran Culkin shines in what could be one of his career-defining roles, with a performance so powerful that an Oscar nomination feels almost inevitable.
Eisenberg’s script masterfully combines moments of raw emotion and sharp wit, exploring the complexities of familial bonds with an authenticity that resonates. Subtle humour underpins the narrative, adding levity to an otherwise heartbreaking tale and creating a rich tapestry of human connection and introspection. A Real Pain is an emotionally profound and darkly funny exploration of loss, reconciliation, and the shared experiences that define us.
The issues and themes explored in this film are undeniably challenging and profoundly sensitive. Topics such as the Holocaust and suicide are examined in depth throughout the story, yet they are handled with an authenticity and gravity that never feels exploitative or forced. The film approaches this profound historical subject matter with a level of respect that is both necessary and profoundly moving. It refrains from offering a superficial summary of the Holocaust, trusting the audience’s understanding and focusing instead on the deeply personal impact of this history. The narrative’s accurate weight lies within the protagonists’ internal struggles, whose pain and turmoil serve as the film’s emotional core.
One of the film’s most significant achievements is its exceptional character development and the connection it fosters between the audience and its protagonists. A Real Pain is a poignant, quirky, and richly layered film that seamlessly combines the humour of buddy comedies, the introspection of road trip movies, and the emotional resonance of family dramas. This unique blend of genres creates an atmosphere of warmth and relatability, drawing viewers into the lives of David and Benji. Through their journey, the film reveals the quirks, flaws, and endearing traits that make these characters unforgettable. Audiences are invited to witness their story and deeply invest in it, growing to love and cherish these characters as if they were old friends.
As the narrative unfolds, the film’s central theme gradually comes into focus: the exploration of self. At its core, it examines the profound relationship between personal identity and pursuing a meaningful life, raising timeless questions that define our humanity: What am I? When did I begin? What will I become? These inquiries stem from our intrinsic nature as conscious, self-aware beings. John Locke once described a person as “a thinking intelligent being, that has reason and reflection, and can consider itself as itself, the same thinking thing, in different times and places.” Through the medium of art, we are often compelled to confront these reflections—and in this film, it is through Benji that such introspection is embodied.
Benji serves as a poignant illustration of this journey. He is adrift, grappling with purposelessness and consumed by an urgent search for meaning. The title, A Real Pain, carries a biting irony: the pain it refers to isn’t physical but rather psychological and deeply rooted within the minds of its characters. The film dives unflinchingly into the realm of mental health, a subject that has become increasingly relevant in the 2020s amid the rise of a modern mental health crisis. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and related struggles are not merely hinted at—they are laid bare, creating a raw, honest depiction of their pervasive grip.
The relationship between David and Benji underscores this exploration, presenting two contrasting yet intertwined journeys that highlight the universality of mental health struggles. By juxtaposing their experiences, the film captures the broad spectrum of emotional and psychological turmoil that can affect anyone, regardless of their circumstances. This contrast is a powerful reminder that these challenges do not discriminate; they are shared across different lives and perspectives.
Ultimately, A Real Pain tells a deceptively simple yet profoundly resonant story about two estranged individuals bound by love. It is a tale of reconnection, understanding, and acceptance—each other and themselves. The film’s message is clear: our pain, no matter how overwhelming, is not just something we endure—it is something we are allowed to feel. In embracing our struggles, we reclaim our humanity and begin healing.
Overall: 7.5/10
Movie Reviewer
