A Real Pain

Whenever I see anything with Jesse Eisenberg, I am reminded that when it comes to the concept of ‘independent cinema’, he may be one of the best actors in the business.

The film is about two Jewish cousins who go to Poland to honor their grandmother by getting on a Holocaust tour. David Kaplan ,  played by Jesse Eisenberg, is an awkward introvert who believes in family and always has a clear direction which he likes to follow. Benjamin ‘Benji’ Kaplan, played by Kieran Culkin, is basically the complete opposite of David as he is an outgoing and eccentric human being .

While on the tour, Benjamin gets along with the rest of the group and tells David that he needs to loosen up and live a little. David in turn tells his cousin that he’s only distracting himself and escaping his problems in life. Benjamin deflects by talking about the suffering their grandmother would have gone through and by talking about the Holocaust in general. In one scene, he creates a ruckus on a train by telling the tour group why they are traveling first class on the train as opposed to economy class and should embark on what the Jews would’ve endured during the camps.

These eccentricities make Kieran Culkin’s character someone who is totally a lovable, annoying human being but someone who is going through a lot and in real pain.

A film shot so well that locations feel like you’re at a museum, looking at paintings and enjoying the day. A film portraying a harsh history, makes you uncomfortable, but keeps you engaged.