DVD Corner

A Real Pain Review

“A Real Pain” is one of the best films of 2024.

Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain” is a comedy-drama about Jewish New Yorker cousins David and Benji who decide to take a pilgrimage to Poland where their late grandmother was born. The two are polar opposites. David is an anxious father/husband while Benji is a charismatic carefree jokester who doesn’t have a lot going on in life. Benji has a way of making people open but can also be inappropriate and fly off the handle as we learn throughout the course of the film. The two start off by taking a tour of Poland led by British tour guide James where they see monuments, architecture, and a concentration camp, but later go off tour to visit the house their grandmother grew up in. Throughout their adventure, the two grapple with the painful history of Poland’s past while also confronting their complicated relationship that has changed over the years. 

With “A Real Pain,” Jesse Eisenberg channels Woody Allen while also cultivating his own cinematic voice with this personal project drawn from his own life experiences. Despite a rather short run time, Eisenberg manages to create a thematically rich story that tackles religion, family, guilt, heritage, history, and trauma. At its heart, this is also a moving character study that explores the dynamic between David and Benji who have drifted apart over the years as David has found his own path while Benji struggles in life (especially since the passing of his grandmother whom he was close to). You know the two love each other, but, as we all know, love can also hurt. David is simultaneously jealous, hurt, and exhausted by Benji after what he has put him through in the past (no spoilers here). Benji is the type of person that can light up a room which David could never do, but Benji is also harboring a lot of darkness within him. Through this Poland trip, the two have a rather cathartic bonding experience that they both needed.

Fresh off of “Succession,” Kieran Culkin once again showcases his immense acting talents and could very well be on his way to an Oscar here. He completely owns the movie from start to finish. You can’t imagine the movie without him at all. Jesse Eisenberg is the writer and director, but he also stars here as the more introspective David. He has particularly great chemistry with Culkin. 

Presentation: 1.85:1

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos for the 4K digital and 5.1 DTS-HD MA for the Blu-ray

Extra Feature: “Beautiful Fate: Making A Real Pain”- A near 20 minute featurette with film clips, interviews, Eisenberg’s real-life inspiration for the film, set footage, and theme, story and character discussions.

“A Real Pain” is available on digital platforms (Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home to name a few) today December 31, 2024. The Blu-ray is due out Feb. 4, 2025.

December 31, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Movie Review | A Real Pain Movie Review, A Real Pain Review, Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin