A Real Pain movie review: A sensitive look at family dynamics and grief

This is a carefully written screenplay. A Real Pain offers a sensitive perspective on family dynamics and the layered nature of human existence. The film’s writer and director, Jesse Eisenberg, also stars in the lead role. However, it feels as if Eisenberg wrote this film for his co-star, Kieran Culkin—I’m not sure it would be as satisfying without him. Culkin masterfully portrays a whimsical, unpredictable, and endearing yet erratic character, a role that seems to suit him perfectly.

Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin play two cousins who travel to Poland to trace the footsteps of their grandmother, who survived the Holocaust and immigrated to the U.S. after World War II. In that sense, it is also a World War II film, as it delicately portrays Holocaust sites and their historical significance in Poland.

The two cousins embark on their journey as part of a guided tour, and the dynamics within the group, as well as the other characters, are intricately crafted. The film offers a fresh perspective on the grieving process and delivers an overall heartfelt and warm viewing experience. It also sparks excitement about Eisenberg’s future as a screenwriter and director.