A Real Pain

I'm a fan of Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin, and when I heard they were starring together in a film early this year, I knew this would be one of my most anticipated movies for 2024. Written and Directed by Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain is the story of cousins who go on a tour through Poland to honor their recently deceased grandmother. Since it has been months since they last connected we experience the tension between them as they embark on this journey. The core of this is more of a road trip/buddy journey for Benji (Culkin) and David (Eisenberg). The back-and-forth dialog between these two is well-written and showcases both talents well. Jesse sticks with his fast-paced rhythm but delivers enough emotional moments to pull at your heartstrings and have you thinking about life. The real subject matter is deep as the journey is both through a Holocaust tour and visiting their grandmothers' childhood home. The character of Benji goes through an array of emotions as they visit each destination but Jesse keeps the direction pretty light for viewers. It's through these emotional outbreaks that will leave an impression on viewers as it is delivered in a way that will get anyone thinking more about their own family, religious beliefs, and traditions. The script is tight and the performances are excellent. This is a movie I'll be revisiting often.

A Real Pain is in theaters on November 15, 2024. Rating: 4.5/5