Ronit J

A Real Pain Synopsis:

Mismatched cousins reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother, but their old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.

A Real Pain Review:

Much of A Real Pain can be summed up in what the tour guide James (Will Sharpe), says about the tour itself. [Paraphrasing here] While the journey includes painful moments, it is important to remember that these are very real people and once upon a time lived normal lives. As much as this is a tour to explore their past—before, during and after the tragedy—it is also a look into humanity and society in general.

Traumas of the Past

Trauma is the major meta-narrative throughout the film. Cousin, David & Benji (Eisenberg & Culkin) reconnect after years. They used to be inseparable as kids, but life got in the way. Their interactions show a noticeable awkwardness that we’ve all experienced when interacting with a part of our past that we’ve outgrown. Maybe an ex, an ex-best friend, or a relative we no longer talk to as often anymore. This merely scratches the surface of the pain these two hold. And the pain isn’t always overt. It’s like a tiny ball of condensed suffering that’s suppressed deep within, bleeding out only when things get tense and real. They’re adults, and they continue to function despite their emotional hurts.

I think this aspect really shines brightly, especially with our leading duo. David is reserved and anxious (maybe owing to pressures of family life and work, or because of some past traumas). Benji, on the other hand, behaves overtly extroverted and filterless (overcompensating for inner feelings of low self-worth, failure, etc.). Discovering the traumatic history of their grandmother’s homeland brings out a sense of mutual healing, somewhat spiritual, but mostly emotional.

Kieran Culkin really steals the show with his performance as the funny, but suffering deep within Benji. SPOILER ALERT: We learn Benji tried to kill himself months ago. That reveal really uncovers a new layer of depth for his character. Eisenberg’s David, although more passive and soft spoken, ends up serving the perfect counter to Benji’s noise. The balance between the two characters brings out both comedy and drama that highlights both their individual pains and coping. A brilliant character study, A Real Pain explores trauma in a warm, empathetic way without being preachy or sappy. It’s just the right amount of ingredients to make it a poignant experience.

An Emotional Tour of Discovery and Healing

I haven’t visited Poland yet. However, I have watched my share of Kieslowski films and read history articles to have some idea of Poland’s society, history, and culture. Yet, the way Eisenberg shows Poland through Michał Dymek’s lens is equal parts tourism video and genuine intrigue towards Polish heritage. The picturesque establishing shots of popular tourist destinations are coupled with atmospheric visuals of everyday locales. While the touristy visuals attract our awe and fascination, the moody locales reveal the ennui of modern day. This is a place that has faced some of the worst of the world wars. And this is a place that persevered. The past is preserved with respect, co-existing alongside the present. Visually, you see a healed Poland.

The use of geography and monuments supports the trauma narrative in the most beautiful contradiction. Almost as if geography is telling us that if it could heal from its past traumas, so can we. The effect becomes apparent when Benji and David begin to really open up, not just with the other tourists, but also with each other. They finally address their concerns while overlooking Lublin’s modern cityscape at night, illuminated by the red neon lights of a nearby hoarding. It’s not like one conversation is going to solve all their problems, but it’s the start of a journey of emotional healing.

A Real Pain worth the watch?

Yes. Yes, it is. Now, I’d like to add a small caveat here: As powerful A Real Pain was, it wasn’t anything extraordinary. Yet, it was a great experience, one that moved me and left me with a bittersweet warmth by the end. This is the kind of film you’d expect to see and applaud at a film festival. It might not be the most acclaimed or life-changing film you watch, but it’s certainly a soul-stirring experience.

The final scene, where the cousins find their grandmother’s old house is a perfect summation of their emotional journeys. I won’t say anything about this one, because it’s best to experience it on your own. However, the way this scene plays out, and the subsequent finale where they go back home and part ways was a realistic end to this chapter of both their lives.

In Conclusion:

A Real Pain is a beautifully moving film that explores trauma and healing against the backdrop of a Jewish-Poland tour. It is a poignant, character driven movie that perfectly couples its hard-to-swallow emotional moments with lighthearted humour, wholesome healing, and a bittersweet finale that will leave you smiling.

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Have you seen A Real Pain? What did you think about this movie? Let me know in the comments below, along with any film recommendations you’d like me to watch/review.

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