The emotional, tragic, dramatic and comedic journey of “A Real Pain” is one of self-awareness and togetherness for two somewhat estranged cousins, Benji Kaplan (Kieran Culkin) and David Kaplan (Jesse Eisenberg). It all but demands Oscar attention.
Imagine you haven’t seen your cousin in years, a cousin you were close to in childhood, only to grow apart as age settles in and opportunities arise. Years later, you reunite and embark on a journey to your native land of Poland to see the sites. Namely, the sites of Jewish culture that were destroyed during Adolf Hitler’s reign.
Most importantly, your purpose is to see the house your grandmother grew up in, a woman that collectively held you and your cousin together, even all these years while apart.
“A Real Pain” (2024) Review: Kieran Culkin’s Case For An Oscar
Kieran Culkin on Full Display
This is without a doubt a showcase of Kieran Culkin. That’s not to take away from Jesse Eisenberg because he was great in his leading role, but to say that Culkin was superb is an understatement. He has a way of grabbing the camera with his emotion and eyes, and he doesn’t let it go.
It’s one of the best performances of 2024, and it’s clear why he won “Best Supporting Actor” at the Golden Globes. Based on what I’ve seen from him and his competition, it wouldn’t be a shock for him to add an Oscar for “Best Supporting Actor” as well.
Jesse Eisenberg Impresses Off-Screen
As good as Eisenberg was in his role, he shined even more behind the camera. Both written and directed by Eisenberg, he puts in a strong case to be nominated at the Oscars for “Best Original Screenplay.” It’s extremely well-written, polished and simple. Yet, there’s a deep complexity to it, and our characters slowly get peeled away throughout the film like the husk of a gooseberry. Our main characters are conflicted, both within themselves and with one another. Each does a good job of bringing it all to life.
Eisenberg also does a great job in his scene transitions and use of natural lighting in real-life places, from Poland’s beautiful neighborhoods and the skylines while on the roof to the eerie and desolate remains of the concentration camps. Eisenberg seems to have it figured out.
“A Real Pain” is now streaming on Hulu and is a great chance for many to watch. It’s an emotional, moving, funny and tragic “Odd Couple” journey that is carried heavily on the shoulders of Culkin’s Oscar-worthy acting and Eisenberg’s screenplay.
To quote the film, “This, people, is what fucking filmmaking is about.” — Benji Kaplan
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