Soundtracking ‘A Real Pain’ With Only Chopin: Jesse Eisenberg Used Polish Composer to Balance “Juvenile” Characters

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In the movie “A Real Pain,” the somewhat discordant dynamic between the two cousins portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin is beautifully offset by an exquisite score primarily made up of piano compositions from Polish composer Frédéric Chopin. This thoughtful choice in music was made by Eisenberg, who not only starred in but also directed this film.

In an interview with THR, Eisenberg discusses his film “A Real Pain“, which explores a humorous yet complicated bond between two men revisiting their past relationship. He explains that as they interact, they regress into childlike behavior. To avoid the movie seeming immature, he aimed for a tone that critiques these characters’ repetition of old habits against the backdrop of historical suffering. He wanted the film to have a refined, conventional, and mature aesthetic.

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During an interview with THR, Eisenberg talks about his movie “A Real Pain“, which delves into the comical yet tense connection between two men rekindling their past relationship. He describes how they often behave like children during these interactions. To ensure the film didn’t appear juvenile, he strived for a tone that critiques their recurring patterns amidst historical adversity. His intention was to give the movie a sophisticated, traditional, and mature feel.

As Eisenberg planned the script, he found himself incorporating many Chopin pieces, primarily nocturnes and études. He shared, “I’d be listening to these compositions often, and they would frequently spark ideas for scenes.” While at the library working on the script, the music was continuously playing in his mind for hours on end. He also played it to soothe his child to sleep, as well as while getting ready in the morning, all in an effort to immerse himself in the emotional state these pieces evoked.

Sometimes, I’d let the rhythm of the track guide how a scene was filmed. For instance, when my cousins are in our old hometown, I’d play the song I picked for that scene for the dolly grip so he could move the camera dolly in sync with the beat of a Chopin nocturne.

Eisenberg’s exploration into Chopin’s music began during his 2008 visit to Poland, where his ancestors are from. He toured Chopin’s home in Zelazowa Wola. Upon returning, he penned a play called “The Revisionist“, which required interlude music, and he selected Chopin for the task. A decade later, for “A Real Pain“, he once again turned to Chopin’s compositions (although Tzvi Erez performed the film’s music, it is not eligible for an Oscar as it doesn’t qualify as an original score).

During the process of refining the film, certain producers grew apprehensive about its suitability for younger audiences and suggested incorporating more popular tunes into the soundtrack as a potential solution. However, I stood firm in my belief, stating that “these elements were already part of the script; they were decisions we had all made together. So why alter them now? Let’s embrace the risk. It’s not excessive. The music doesn’t create any dissonance. Let’s stay true to our vision.

However, among all the pieces in the score, there’s one that isn’t by Chopin – it’s a rendition of Slim Smith’s reggae hit “My Conversation,” which Benji (Culkin) enjoys playing in the shower. This track can also be heard during the end credits.

Rob Nassau, my skilled editor, suggested that the movie needed a touch more lightness in the ending credits, which I now realize might have been better left as is, with Chopin’s music.

This tale was initially published in a solo issue of The Hollywood Reporter’s magazine for January. You can subscribe to the magazine to read it, simply click here.

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2025-01-09 22:24