Anxiety and mental health issues have become part of our daily conversations on the trials and tribulations of modern life. In his sophomore directorial effort, actor-turned-filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg pits these challenges against the backdrop of acknowledging the trauma of his own ancestors in comedy drama A Real Pain. The plot follows estranged Jewish cousins David (played by Eisenberg himself) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) as they embark on a trip to Poland to honour their late grandmother. Throughout the tour, the pair both bond and bicker as they navigate their grief in different ways.
When actors delve into directing their own work, influence from those they’ve frequently collaborated with can trickle into their style. In this case, the unfussy techniques of Woody Allen are evident through the way in which settings are established as well as the gently recurring score. The classical sounds of Chopin’s piano ties in thematically with the film’s location, and by taking this simple approach to the look and feel of the piece, he lets his neatly observed script do the talking. Striking a tonal balance of comedy and tragedy, the astute writing is full of little character details which catalyse conflict between the protagonists; one an incredibly nervous but successful family man, the other a charming and talented loser whose erratic spontaneity drives the narrative into unexpected and often very funny places.
Eisenberg has spoken about there being parts of himself in both of the lead roles and while he was initially going to be the more charismatic cousin Benji, I think he ultimately made the right choice in portraying David. His performance isn’t too far detached from the self-conscious types we largely associate him with, and his timid demeanour and neuroticism plays very well against Benji’s uninhibited nature. Culkin is a force of nature – irritating and enigmatic, a walking contradiction of aloof confidence and a vulnerability that could crush him at any moment.
Taking planes, trains, and automobiles through a series of war destinations and complicated emotions, Jesse Eisenberg’s thought-provoking buddy movie A Real Pain contextualises our contemporary struggles with this succinctly and wittily presented picture. It’s the most fun you’ll ever have on a Holocaust tour.
Cinema Perspective 