As someone who has navigated the labyrinth of grief multiple times, I can confidently say that “A Real Pain” is a cinematic masterpiece that strikes a chord deep within one’s heart. The film’s unique blend of humor and tragedy mirrors the complexities of human emotions, especially when dealing with loss.
There’s something funny about grief, and A Real Pain captures it perfectly. The film, written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, is about two cousins — played by Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin — taking a trip to Poland to visit their late grandmother’s old home. This movie, which I saw at the New York Film Festival, is a hilarious and tragic depiction of grief, loss and family, and it somehow managed to be both the funniest and saddest project on the 2024 movie schedule that I’ve seen so far.
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A Real Pain Is Uproariously Funny
Initially, I anticipated this movie would provide some laughs due to its star-studded cast featuring Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin, known for their quick wit and energetic performances. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised to find it remarkably humorous, given that the plot revolves around two Jewish men delving into the history of the Holocaust and their grandmother’s past in Poland.
Kieran Culkin shared an amusingly straightforward method he’d employ when his director and co-star, Jesse Eisenberg, attempted to offer him advice on set.
It became apparent that we were in store for an exhilarating experience as the movie commenced with Jesse Eisenberg’s character David bombarding Macaulay Culkin’s Benji with a million messages en route to the airport, only to be unexpectedly greeted by his cousin before departure. To top it off, his announcement of procuring excellent marijuana for their journey sparked laughter among the viewers. This initial scene ignited the audience’s amusement, and from then on, we found ourselves joining the two protagonists on a thrilling cinematic ride.
Most of the humor here revolves around Culkin and Eisenberg’s unique brand of comedy. If you’re a fan of Roman Roy’s biting wit from Succession, you’ll find a fresh take on it in this piece. For those who appreciate the subtle, understated humor Eisenberg is known for in movies like Adventureland and Zombieland, you’ll find that here as well, and their performances together are simply brilliant.
One of the most memorable scenes in “A Real Pain” that effectively illustrated this notion occurred when the characters found themselves unlawfully on a train without tickets. While David was constantly anxious, Benji displayed his problem-solving skills, which ultimately resulted in them arguing and exchanging remarks such as:
David: This is so fucking stupid, tickets are probably like 12 bucks.
Benji: Essentially, it’s not right that we should need to buy a train ticket in Poland. After all, this is our homeland.
David: Not it’s not, it was our country, they kicked us out ‘cause they thought we were cheap.
In the trailer, you’ll find a genuinely amusing and sharp scene that helps bring the cousins closer during their journey. These humorous moments, such as this one, provide a nice counterpoint to the emotional and deeply sad scenes in Eisenberg’s project, which revolves around rekindling family ties.
However, It’s Also Deeply Tragic As It Explores Loss And Grief
The reason for the trip to Poland in this story was the passing of David and Benji’s beloved grandmother. Both of them had a special bond with her, particularly Culkin’s character who was especially close. Despite the film being filled with humorous dialogue and scenarios, its core narrative is tinged with sadness as these two estranged cousins come together following their family loss.
During this excursion, the group visits various locations within Poland while gaining insight into the Jewish community that resided there during World War II. The guide acknowledges that this topic can be emotionally challenging due to its historical gravity. Nevertheless, most participants seem able to absorb the information and find value in their observations.
The emotions of a character, such as Benji in this case, shift dramatically when they encounter a concentration camp. This is clearly seen in how Benji responds to this setting. Throughout the movie, Culkin’s character maintains a cheerful demeanor and manages to make those around him laugh. However, beneath the surface, his actions are driven by deep sorrow as he grapples with the loss of his grandmother and certain decisions in his life. This sorrow reaches its peak at the concentration camp.
Witnessing him collapse into tears at the location of his grandmother’s passing was incredibly heart-wrenching. Compare this to the humor found in the movie, and it became clear that the scene carried an immense emotional impact overall.
Overall, A Real Pain Feels Like A Bittersweet, Accurate Depiction Of Grief
Now, there’s a reason Culkin won an Emmy for Succession, and Eisenberg got an Oscar nomination for leading The Social Network cast: they’re both ultra-skilled actors who can harness comedy and drama with nuance and skill and mix it in a way that creates a complex and human picture. Their talents combined with Eisenberg’s thoughtful script and direction made A Real Pain a beautiful and emotional whole picture of what it’s like to process loss.
Having experienced the loss of a grandparent myself, I could empathize deeply with their emotions. Grief isn’t solely about sorrow; it’s a prolonged emotional journey that encompasses various stages, and while it’s heartbreaking, it can also include amusing and affectionate moments. We cope with pain in diverse ways – laughing, crying, shouting, and much more – and I appreciated how A Real Pain captured all these facets.
Witnessing David express grief over his cousin, mourning their separation and the ache of his sorrow seeming “ordinary,” was heartbreaking, and it’s a wound that requires time to mend. Nevertheless, this moment of loss rekindled his relationship with his cousin, enabling them to rebuild their connection and share laughter as they embarked on this tour.
Similarly, Benji employs humor as a means of dealing with his situation and understanding his experiences. Yet, beneath the surface, he grapples with a profound sadness that significantly affects him personally and those in his vicinity. The portrayal is strikingly authentic because A Real Pain doesn’t limit itself to a single emotion. Instead, it skillfully blends light and darkness, resulting in a multi-layered and captivating depiction of a family trying to remember, mourn, and heal their deceased loved one. Remarkably, the exceptional performances by Jesse Eisenberg and Kiernan Culkin enable us to resonate with their emotions deeply.
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2024-09-21 19:37