“A Real Pain” is a real treat
Written by Julia Lane. Photo courtesy of SCAD Savannah Film Festival.
On Monday, Oct. 28, “A Real Pain” made its southeast premiere to an adoring crowd at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. With actor Kieran Culkin present to receive the Virtuoso Award before the screening and participating in a Q&A afterward, the entire experience of “A Real Pain” has been my favorite festival moment so far.
“A Real Pain” follows cousins Benji (Culkin) and David (Jesse Eisenberg) as they travel with an organized tour group through their ancestors’ home country of Poland after the death of their beloved grandmother. When we meet the cousins, it’s apparent that Benji and David could not be more different. David, introverted and annoyingly responsible, walks through life with his phone fully charged and map at the ready, while Benji barrels through, heart on his sleeve with an unapologetic, lively spirit. Despite their differences, Benji and David have a palpable fondness for each other, a brotherly love found in the most mismatched way that radiates off the screen.
Set against the backdrop of Poland, a place that has been witness to some of the greatest horrors of the 20th century, the tour group is faced with the ever-present theme of pain and history. How does one’s own pain change when faced with the tragedy of their ancestors, their loved ones? Why does pain for things far less horrific inspire guilt in the descendants, knowing that said ancestors would praise the Lord at the fact that their descendants don’t have to go through the same? Is one pain more “real” than another? Benji and David are at the forefront of these questions, their personal loss and heartache taking center stage as they use this trip to reconcile their own fractured bond.
Though I’ve talked a lot about pain so far, you must know that this film is charmingly funny and incredibly endearing. Kieran Culkin captivates the screen in a way that few other actors do. His performance as Benji will have you laughing and tearing up at the same time. One can’t help but grin with glee when Culkin speaks, on-screen and off, and the post-screening Q&A was no exception (I couldn’t keep the smile off my face as he sat cross-legged in his chair and called out to his wife in the audience). I’d be shocked if Culkin’s name isn’t constantly mentioned in awards conversations.
“A Real Pain” was an absolute joy to experience, especially in a full audience of film lovers. The film is exceptionally heartfelt and the duo of Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin is such a gift to witness that it has me wanting more. I highly recommend adding this movie to your watchlist!
Julia studies Production Design at SCAD, focusing on Set Design and Themed Entertainment Design. Her role as Copy Editor fulfills a dream of being paid to correct people’s grammar, which she normally does for free. You can often find Julia at the Forsyth Farmer’s Market, people watching around town with an iced chai, or listening to movie scores; sometimes all at once.
