Jesse Eisenberg wrote, directed, and co-stars in “A Real Pain,” along with Keiran Culkin in a funny, knife-sharp odyssey that follows mismatched cousins David and Benji who reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.
Jesse Eisenberg announces himself as a major filmmaker. Kieran Culkin shines with his performance leaving an indelible mark on the viewer’s memory. The chemistry between the two creates a powerful dynamic in a tender funny film that explores the complexities of family relationships.
Collider – ” The film brings the laughs, that’s for sure, but it brings the tears as well, with heartbreaking moments driven by its compelling characters as they connect with their devastating history and each other.” (full review here)
Variety – “He’s funny, he’s rude, he’s charming, he’s manipulative, and he will suck the life out of you. Yet Culkin makes him real, and the movie, which Eisenberg has scripted with an ear for the music of ideas and for contrasting voices, presents the story of these two cousins — how they interact, what they mean to each other, how their past intersects with the present — in a way that’s so supple you can touch their reality.” (full review here)
