Obviously offering an autobiographical aspect, Eisenberg’s film (a Polish/American co-production) explores some heavy and potentially risky themes with wonderful subtlety, and the performances are spot-on, with Jesse himself alongside a foul-mouthed and fabulous Kieran Culkin (Macaulay’s brother – but you knew that).
Semi-estranged New York Jewish cousins David (Jesse) and Benji (Kieran) set out on a trip to Poland to both visit the home of their late lamented grandmother and, perhaps, to connect with their fractured heritage. The introduction of this pair is perfect: nervy David is seen stuck in traffic and sending multiple phone messages, while Benji is already at the airport, sadly and silently watching strangers. The title then appears to the left of his head, as if suggesting that he’s a real pain, but it’s not as simple as that, of course.
When they meet and board the plane there’s plenty of fond and funny catching-up, and yet much is evidently unsaid. After they eventually arrive at their destination, the two join a Holocaust tour group led by British guide James (Will Sharpe), and Benji becomes louder, pushier, more passionate, and sometimes nastier, although the other tourists put up with him, especially Eloge (Kurt Egyiawan, also in TV’s The Agency) and Marcia (Jennifer Grey, a long way from Dirty Dancing).
There are scenes that deftly walk a fine line between dark comedy and painful emotion, as when the group check out the graves at the Old Jewish Cemetery in Lublin, and the foul-mouthed Benji criticises James’ detached lack of feeling given where they are. Eisenberg’s screenplay also manages the impressive trick of featuring several character twists and turnarounds that really work, without bashing you over the head.
Surprisingly, too, this has the cast visit Majdanek, marking the first time a non-documentary has been allowed to film at a concentration camp, and Eisenberg shows the players quietly moving through the sacred site. And probably asking themselves one of this director’s key questions here: how do we deal with a past of such horror, pain and despair? And does it in any way compare to our own sometimes horrific, painful and despairing lives right now?
A Real Pain
In cinemas now. (MA)
3.5 stars out of 5
