Sundance 2024: Jesse Eisenberg Takes a Trip to Poland in ‘A Real Pain’

Sundance 2024: Jesse Eisenberg Takes a Trip to Poland in ‘A Real Pain’

by Alex Billington
January 26, 2024

Actor Jesse Eisenberg is one of many actors who have made the leap into filmmaking, making his feature directorial debut with the film When You Finish Saving the World that premiered in 2022 at the Sundance Film Festival. That one was quickly forgotten, despite some solid performances. As talented as he certainly is as actor, he’s still honing his craft behind the lens. Eisenberg returned to the 2024 Sundance Film Festival to premiered his second feature titled A Real Pain, and this is the one he’s going to be really remembered for. The title seems to be a clear riff on the phrase “a real pain in the ass”, referring to one of the characters in the film. However, there is an additional layered meaning that only becomes apparent once you’ve seen the film, connecting deep with what Eisenberg is trying to express with his script. It’s one of the best films at Sundance that has remained on the top of my mind even after watching many films following the premiere.

A Real Pain is both written & directed by Jesse Eisenberg, who has explained in interviews and intros that this is a very personal film for him. The house they go to find in a small town in Poland is the actual house his grandmother lived in many years ago. Eisenberg stars as David Kaplan, and Kieran Culkin stars as his cousin Benji Kaplan. The two meet-up at the airport for a heritage trip to Poland. Their grandmother left them some money to take this trip and explore their roots together, as they have never been there but they obviously have a connection to this country. Many Americans have connections to Europe like this (I also have Polish roots on my mother’s side as well.) The rest of the film is spent following David & Benji on this tour around Poland, starting in Warsaw, then traveling down to Lublin, before they break off from the group and head to this tiny town to find the old home. There is not much time actually spent chatting with Polish people, it’s more of a historical trip for tourists, with visits to memorials and famous buildings, along with an obligatory stop at a concentration camp – which results in one of the most powerful scenes in this film.

Most of the real magic of this film comes down to the two outstanding performances from Eisenberg and Culkin. The film is played as a heartfelt dramedy, with some heavy moments along with plenty of humor and jokes. Culkin’s character Benji is put front and center because it’s clear even Eisenberg adores his talents as an actor and this film is really his. Benji is an abrasive, strange, and pained person who is struggling with depression. He’s loud and obnoxious, cracking jokes; while also bouncing back & forth between being really sharp & uncouth, to being sensitive & caring with others. As annoying as his quips and conversations can be, there’s something about him that will stick with you long after the film ends. Eisenberg’s character David, on the other hand, is much more reserved and refined, following his stricly organized life, remaining humble and quiet most of the time. Until he gets into fights with his cousin or blurts out something that is on his mind that he can’t hold in anymore. This brilliant dynamic between them is the key to this film’s success and the story it’s trying to tell, especially the themes it is addressing related to pain and loneliness and family.

While on the surface this may seem like a story about two cousins reconnecting and being goofballs despite their differences, it’s much more than that. There is also the obvious look at the past and Jewish history, especially in Poland, where many were murdered during WWII or they left for other countries like the US. There are a few good lines from David & Benji reminiscing about how they could’ve been Polish people in Poland if their grandma hadn’t left. There’s a moment in the middle in a remarkable dinner scene where the film finally reveals itself, with tiny cracks in the characters showing us the pain deep within that is the core of this story. I really felt for them both, and I wanted them to work things out and become better, but I also know this isn’t something that usually happens. It’s also important to highlight Will Sharpe, playing their tour guide James, with a warm-hearted performance that is just as vital as the two lead characters. I will be thinking about this film often beyond the festival, and how beautifully crafted it is by all those who made it.

Alex’s Sundance 2024 Rating: 9 out of 10
Follow Alex on Twitter – @firstshowing / Or Letterboxd – @firstshowing

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