REVIEW: A Real Pain

The kind of comedy-drama-character-study we don’t get enough of.

I don’t want to waste your time with a rant on a mildly-related subject, but I can’t help myself.

When I first saw the trailer for writer, director, actor Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain I knew it was the kind of movie I wanted to see — one of those smallish, quirky comedy drama mixes that used to so much more prevalent before comic book and IP movies sapped most studios of all their budgets.

Sadly, I knew I wouldn’t see it in the theater here in Port Huron, Michigan. We have three movie theaters in town, but it might as well be one since they all play virtually the same movies all the time.

A number of years ago the newest opened — and it started out great. It was an old clothing store in our historic downtown that was converted into a fantastic boutique-style theater that we were happy to support it. Beyond the “hits” they ran good, small films like A Real Pain. Not full-on art house stuff, mind you, but Academy Award buzz-worthy stuff.

A few years in they just stopped and it really sucks because it’s an hour drive to find a good theater. We still go there — the company only owns two theaters which is still better to support than a mega chain. But, it’s a shame.

Anyway, rant over.

I would have liked to see A Real Pain when it came out, but it was still good on Hulu. In the film Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin play cousins who haven’t seen each other in some time and take a trip to Poland to see the childhood home of their recently deceased grandmother.

Eisenberg’s David Kaplan has a successful life in New York city but is an introverted and nervous neurotic while his cousin Benji is an extrovert to a fault whose life has had some major bumps in the road. I won’t say much more about the plot because there’s not a ton more to give away.

This is one of those films where not a whole lot happens, but we’re treated to nice character studies where the two interchangeable antagonist and protagonist get a better appreciation about life and each other.

It’s not a mind-blowing film, but it’s quite good. Culkin has gotten awards buzz and deserves it. As in Succession, his acting is so damn laid back and easy. He’s a joy to watch even if his character here isn’t too dramatically different than his celebrated TV turn as Roman Roy.

The supporting cast are all very good, as is Eisenberg. But, I think Eisenberg should really get kudos for his script. Because while nothing amazing happens in the film on the surface, there are plenty of underlying themes woven throughout. And the dialogue is top notch. As someone who has written my fair share of screenplays he really nails sharp dialogue that also feels extremely natural at the same time — no easy feat.

So, yes, put A Real Pain on your list of movies to watch.

Like me, it won’t be in the theater, but it worth your time and will remind you when Hollywood made more of these kinds of small, thoughtful films.