Have you ever heard the saying, "Be kind. We never know what people are going through"? Sometimes people are rude or overly emotional and we look at them as if they are crazy. Sometimes we meet people who are incredibly nice and personable not knowing they are dealing with complex emotions hiding just below the surface. Actor/Comedian Robin Williams was a perfect example of this as he made the world laugh while hiding serious health issues. In writer/director/actor Jesse Eisenberg's (The Social Network) latest feature film, A Real Pain, we see this personality type on display in Kieran Culkin's (Succession) character, Benji.
Cousins Benji (Culkin) and David (Eisenberg) couldn't be more different. Benji is a free spirit, living life in his parent's basement with no real job prospects on the horizon. David, who suffers from OCD and anxiety, works as a social media advertising sales rep and is married with one son. However, the two are like brothers having grown up together. They both loved and speak fondly of their grandmother who recently passed away and left them money to visit her homeland in Poland. Together these two relatives take a trip that helps them discover things about their grandmother and each other that they never knew.
Eisenberg does a number of things correctly, beginning with the script. Infused with poignant moments and lighter fare, the story is balanced, which is difficult to do considering some of the heavier subject matter (The Holocaust; suicide, etc.). The title can be interpreted in several different ways and by the time the film is over, the audience has thought of a few of them.
Eisenberg also chose a great cast, beginning with Culkin. There is a reason he has been nominated for several awards for his roles as Benji. He plays the role perfectly. He is skillful at artfully portraying the carefree, funny cousin whose demons lay just below the surface. Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing) and Will Sharpe (Flowers) both have their moments. The rest of the ensemble doesn't detract from the story, which makes them well-cast.
The technical aspects of the Blu-ray release are well done. The 1080p resolution enhances the magnificent scenes filmed in Poland. Cinematographer Michal Dymek (EO) captures the essence of all the various Polish locations, especially the haunting scenes shot at Majdanek Concentration Camp. The picture details are well-defined and clean, while the colors are sharp and true.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is a solid mix that includes plenty of ambient sounds and crisp, clear dialogue. The instrumental soundtrack flows beautifully in the background and enhances while never overpowering what's happening on the screen.
Besides the Blu-ray Disc and the digital download, the combo pack only includes one extra entitled Beautiful Fate: Making A Real Pain, which is a 20-minute featurette and includes interviews with Eisenberg, Culkin, and Grey. While it is an enjoyable piece that offers some insight into the making of the film, it would have been nice to see other extras such as a behind-the-scenes short and a blooper reel.
At an hour and a half run time, A Real Pain doesn't overstay its welcome yet also leaves the audience wondering what happens next. And, while Culkin is incredible as Benji, the character is so "over the top" at times that it is difficult to not find him annoying, just as David does occasionally. Eisenberg treats the material as a solemn reminder of the atrocities of the past while celebrating the here and now, which is a testament to his writing and filmmaking skills.
A Real Pain is the perfect storm of writing, directing, and acting talent that can take an ordinary film and make it extraordinary.
Grade: A-
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