A Real Pain

The general consensus on Jesse Eisenberg's second screenplay appears to be much more positive than it was for his directorial debut, When You Finish Saving the World. A Real Pain follows Jewish American cousins, David and Benji, as they travel around Poland to connect with their family history after the passing of their grandmother, who fled the country during the Holocaust. This film is set to be a personal treat given my love of both The Social Network and Succession. Unfortunately this film does not alleviate Eisenberg of the allegations that he can only play characters similar to himself, as David is tightly wound, reserved and overly sensible. On the other hand, Benji is unfiltered, spontaneous and downright irritating but very charming at the same time. Both Eisenberg and Culkin play versions of themselves with a genuineness that shows great chemistry and care. These clashing personalities make for an emotional ride with a muddle of belly laughs and hard hitters. Prepare yourself for one hell of a performance from Culkin, being described as an “exhaustingly mesmerizing performance loaded with depth and relentless magnetism” by critic Chris Sawin.

Eleanor Armstrong