A REAL PAIN: Holocaust Dramedy Has Heart
By Harrison J. Bahe
Mismatched cousins David and Benji tour Poland to honor their grandmother. Their adventure becomes complicated as old tensions resurface while exploring their family history.
A Real Pain is a dramatic film with comedic undertones. It addresses generational trauma stemming from the holocaust of World War II which saw the systematic genocide of over 8 million Jewish people. Actor, writer and director Jesse Eisenberg had a lot to say with this film. Addressing behaviors amongst the bereaved and adding sly social commentary to modern day Jews. It’s all mish-mashed into a sometimes glum foray into Poland where Jews of all walks of life willingly confront the horrors of the holocaust whether it be in remembrance or for casual interest. The scene in which the tourist group does a walk through of a concentration camp is steeped in silent sorrow.
The shining glory of the film is Kieran Culkin’s portrayal of Benji Kaplan who consistently jumps from a happy-go-lucky person to an emotionally damaged man seeking to bring everything and everyone down to his level. The prowess of Culkin to embody someone who you would both love and hate to be around is a masterclass of acting. It is a delicate balance that swings to both sides of the extreme. Eisenberg does a tasteful job as the man caught between that love/hate relationship with Culkin. Blending the awkwardness that Eisenberg is known for with a genuine love for his cousin is heartbreaking. A scene in which he describes his hate and love is tragic. “I hate him. I love him. I want to kill him. I want to be him.” The emotional frustration is felt and seen through Eisenberg.
A Real Pain isn’t an easy film to get through. It forces the audience to observe awkward situations while addressing generational trauma stemming from the genocide of 8 million people. The title of the film really envelops the literal, figurative and metaphorical definition of pain. While it does insert comedic elements, it still remains a heavy dramatic film making social commentaries on modern day Jews who celebrate their current existence in the face of hate and murder. Culkin and Eisenberg show off their acting chops blending real human tenderness with anxiety-inducing social interactions that just add to the authenticity of the film. It’s awkward, tragic, funny, heartbreaking and sensitive, which is why I give A Real Pain —
4 Rocks out of 5
A Real Pain is currently playing in theaters and is Rated-R for language throughout and some drug use.