Actors Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg graced the red carpet at the London Film Festival to unveil their latest film, “A Real Pain,” a comedic exploration of family dynamics and grief.
Culkin, renowned for his role as Roman Roy in the Emmy-winning series “Succession,” and Eisenberg, who gained fame portraying Mark Zuckerberg in “The Social Network,” have collaborated on this project, with Eisenberg both writing and directing.
“A Real Pain” has garnered acclaim at various film festivals and is poised to make a significant impact during the upcoming awards season. Despite its appearance as a typical bro-comedy in the trailer, the film offers unexpected depth and emotional resonance.
In the movie, Eisenberg and Culkin portray two cousins with contrasting personalities. Eisenberg’s character, David, is thoughtful and family-oriented, while Culkin’s Benji is impulsive and rebellious. The cousins embark on a journey to Poland after the death of their grandmother, a Jewish woman who escaped the Holocaust and started anew in the United States. Using funds she left specifically for this trip, they join a tour group and intermittently explore her past while processing their grief.
The film also features British actor Will Sharpe as the tour guide and Jennifer Grey of “Dirty Dancing” fame as one of the tourists.
Walking the red carpet ahead of the film’s UK premiere, the duo received praise from critics. Tomris Laffly of Harper’s Bazaar described “A Real Pain” as “understated, funny, and gradually heart-swelling,” predicting it will be a contender in the next awards season. David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter called it a “frequently laugh-out-loud funny odd couple road trip movie” that delivers an emotional punch.
Culkin’s performance has been highlighted as a “career-high” by Deadline’s Damon Wise, who noted, “Benji is a gift of a role, the kind that makes movie stars.” However, there has been some debate in awards circles regarding his campaign in the supporting actor category, as many consider him to be the film’s lead.
While some critics have offered mixed reviews, Ema Sasic of Next Best Picture acknowledged the film’s conventional beats but affirmed its enjoyment factor. Kristy Strouse from Film Inquiry commended the film for skillfully addressing the contemplation of loss amid comedic elements.
Running at a tight 90 minutes, “A Real Pain” weaves in significant themes, using humor to mask deeper issues that unfold throughout the film. It offers a more accessible take on similar subjects tackled in last year’s awards contender “The Zone of Interest.”
The film’s direction captures the beautiful scenery of Poland, with early charm contrasting with poignant scenes at the Majdanek concentration camp and the house their grandmother left behind.
Reflecting on his collaboration with Culkin, Eisenberg shared, “I really don’t like improv, but Kieran is such an unusual performer. He would say things that deviated from the script, and a lot of times they were just better.” He noted that some of Culkin’s improvised lines made it into the final edit, as they felt more natural.
Culkin’s success follows a trend among “Succession” actors, with his former co-star Jeremy Strong also presenting a film at the festival. The acclaimed HBO series, inspired by the Murdoch family, continues to influence the careers of its cast, who are making waves in both film and theatre.
