A Real Pain

心伤旅行团

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score : -

Opening : 20 Feb 2025

Runtime : 90 mins

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DIGITAL

Rating	M18 Coarse Language and Some Drug Use 粗俗语言及些许吸毒画面
Language	English- subtitles to be advised
Genre	Drama
Director	Jesse Eisenberg
Cast	Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Jennifer Grey, Will Sharpe, Daniel Oreskes, Liza Sadovy, Kurt Egyiawan
Synopsis	A Real Pain follows mismatched cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) as they reunite for a tour through Poland to honour their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.

REVIEWS

By InCinemas 17 Feb 2025

A real emotional delight.

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A Real Pain follows a pair of mismatched cousins, neurotic David (Jesse Eisenberg) and free-spirited Benji Kaplan (Kieran Culkin), on a Jewish heritage tour in Poland to visit where their late grandmother grew up in. Led by their guide James (Will Sharpe), they are joined by other fellow tour group members: retired couple Mark (Daniel Oreskes) and Diane (Liza Sadovy) from Ohio, divorcee Marcia (Jennifer Grey) from California; and Eloge (Kurt Egyiawan), a survivor of the Rwandan genocide survivor and Judaism convert.

Benji is quick to bond with everyone while his cousin observes from the sidelines. Despite his charismatic and easygoing nature, Benji starts behaving more erratic when his emotions get the better of him as the tour progresses. This leaves David mentally exhausted, exploding into a passioned rant of disheartenment – a brilliant and nuanced monologue that Eisenberg pulls off so effortlessly. It is revealed the pair used to grow up close-knit but have since seen a strain in their relationship, especially since Benji’s attempted suicide.

Culkin’s committed take on Benji easily steals the scene every time he’s on screen, playing the character like it’s second nature. Writer-director-actor Eisenberg did us all a service when he decided to cast the actor in his latest film. The former has said he merely hired the latter "based on his essence" and that alone is one hell of a move from a man who knows exactly what he’s doing.

As much as we’d love to laud Culkin for his unhinged performance making him the unofficial face of the film, it is Eisenberg who is the true (albeit silent) MVP of A Real Pain. His deep connection with the subject matter, intricate and witty writing and keen eye has allowed for a very real film that leaves a lasting impression. Together, they form an impalpable chemistry, bringing to life a fever dream combo that shouldn't work but do.

A Real Pain is a beautiful journey of self-discovery with a linear goal and stellar performances. The film is a quiet but powerful blend of humour, drama, and emotions that go off like fireworks on mute. With its concise runtime disallowing room for a single wasted minute, it locks you in from start to finish and leaves you feeling as cathartic (and not) as its characters.
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A Real Pain