'A Real Pain': Sundance Film Festival Review

 

In writer/director Jesse Eisenberg's heartfelt second feature, two Jewish American cousins embark on a road trip to Poland, unraveling a story that blends uproarious comedy with a poignant exploration of the Holocaust's enduring impact. Kieran Culkin impressively portrays the free-spirited, self-centered cousin, finding a counterpart in Eisenberg's character, a responsible father and husband wrestling with complex feelings about his challenging yet impossibly loving relative.

Screening in the US dramatic competition at Sundance, following Eisenberg's directorial debut in 2022 with "When You Finish Saving The World," this film holds promise for a broad audience. With compelling reviews, it could attract buyers and potentially secure solid arthouse box office returns, possibly putting Culkin, an Emmy-winner for "Succession," back in the awards spotlight.

Cousins David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Culkin) reunite for a Holocaust tour to Warsaw, a gift from their late grandmother, a camp survivor. While David is a successful online ad salesman in New York City, Benji lacks direction in life. The film delicately explores their lifelong connection, born just weeks apart, revealing nuanced differences during the tour. Despite Benji's combative nature, fellow tourists, including a divorced woman (Jennifer Grey) and a Rwandan convert to Judaism (Kurt Egyiawan), gravitate toward him.

Eisenberg skillfully avoids clichés, presenting complex, multifaceted cousins. The film unfolds from David's perspective, painting Benji as an enigmatic puzzle. Big-hearted but troubled, Benji teases David affectionately yet undermines him in front of others. Culkin masterfully captures the character's charm, passive-aggressiveness, and genuine desire for connection, leaving the audience and David grappling with mixed feelings.

Eisenberg, known for neurotic roles, breaks stereotypes as David, infusing the character with humor and warmth. The cousins' lighthearted chemistry suggests an intimate understanding, but David harbors concerns about an undisclosed incident in Benji's life, hinting at a darker side to his carefree demeanor. Eisenberg adeptly conveys David's conflicted emotions, blending worry and resentment toward his effortlessly cool cousin.

As the Holocaust tour approaches a concentration camp, the film maintains a delicate balance, steering clear of manipulation. Eisenberg's screenplay, peppered with witty one-liners, gracefully incorporates the weight of the Holocaust into its narrative. Solemn scenes resonate, highlighting the cousins' divergent responses to tragedy. The trip into their family's past becomes a key to understanding shared bonds and enduring separations.

In "A Real Pain," Eisenberg crafts a narrative that navigates the complexities of familial ties, intertwining humor and solemnity while confronting the lasting legacy of historical trauma.