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A Real Pain

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A Real Pain
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJesse Eisenberg
Written byJesse Eisenberg
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMichał Dymek
Edited byRobert Nassau
Production
companies
Distributed bySearchlight Pictures
Release dates
  • January 20, 2024 (2024-01-20) (Sundance)
  • November 1, 2024 (2024-11-01) (United States)
Running time
90 minutes[3]
Countries
  • Poland
  • United States[3]
LanguageEnglish
Box office$7.7 million[4][5]

A Real Pain is a 2024 comedy drama film, written, directed, and produced by Jesse Eisenberg. It stars Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy, and Daniel Oreskes. Emma Stone and Dave McCary serve as producers under their Fruit Tree banner.

It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2024, and was given a limited theatrical release in the United States on November 1, 2024. It received critical acclaim and was named one of the top ten films of 2024 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute.

Plot

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American Jewish cousins David and Benji embark on a trip to Poland to visit the childhood home of their late grandmother, and to connect with their heritage. David, a reserved and pragmatic father and husband, contrasts sharply with Benji, a free-spirited and eccentric drifter. Their personalities clash as Benji criticizes David for losing his former passion and spontaneity, while David struggles with Benji’s unfiltered outbursts and lack of direction in life.

The pair have travelled as part of a Nazi Germany Holocaust tour group led by James, a knowledgeable yet detached gentile British tour guide. The cousins' dynamic is tested throughout the trip, from a missed train stop to a confrontation at the Old Jewish Cemetery where Benji critiques the tour's lack of emotional authenticity and challenges its focus on facts and statistics, to David's embarrassment. Benji nonetheless connects with the group members, who find themselves moved by his emotional honesty.

During a group dinner, Benji continues behaving inappropriately and making uncomfortable comments, prompting the tour group to delicately confront him. Benji leaves the table, upon which David opens up to the group about the complex mixture of admiration, resentment, and envy he feels towards his cousin. He additionally reveals that the two have drifted apart following a suicide attempt by Benji earlier that year.

On their last day with the tour, the group visits the Nazi Germany Majdanek concentration camp. Before departing from the group, James tells Benji that he is the first person on one of his tours to provide him with feedback, and thanks him for changing his perspective on the way he should lead his tour. David and Benji travel to their grandmother's former home as their final stop, where Benji recounts an incident from years earlier where their grandmother slapped him after he arrived late and intoxicated to dinner with her. He states that the slap gave him a sense of clarity and humility, and laments that she was the only person able to keep him disciplined.

On their final night in Poland, the cousins smoke marijuana on a hotel rooftop together, where Benji confronts David about his changed personality and why he never visits him. While David initially responds that he is busy with his wife and child, he eventually breaks down and explains that following Benji's suicide attempt, he is unable to bear the thought of a person with Benji's passion for life killing themselves.

The pair return to New York, where Benji declines David's offers to visit his home for dinner and to drive Benji to his train home from Penn Station. This prompts David to slap Benji, though they immediately reconcile and profess that they care deeply about each other. David returns to his home and greets his wife and child, while Benji sits alone at the airport, observing other groups of travelers around him.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]
Principal photography in Lublin

In August 2022, it was announced Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin would star in the film, with Eisenberg directing from a screenplay he wrote, with Emma Stone and Dave McCary set to produce.[7] It marks Eisenberg's second feature film as writer/director, after 2022's When You Finish Saving the World.[8]

Principal photography began in May 2023.[9][10]

Music

[edit]

The score for A Real Pain is almost entirely composed of piano pieces written by the Polish virtuoso Frédéric Chopin, and performed by Israeli-Canadian classical pianist Tzvi Erez.[2] Among the featured compositions are Chopin's ballades, études, nocturnes, preludes, and waltzes.[11]

Release

[edit]

It premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2024.[12] Shortly after, Searchlight Pictures acquired worldwide rights to the film for $10 million in an all-night auction.[13][14] The film had its European premiere at the 20th Zurich Film Festival in October 2024.[15] It was also announced as part of the 'Meeting Point' slate of the 69th Valladolid International Film Festival.[16]

Originally scheduled to be released in the United States on October 18, 2024,[17] the film's release was subsequently pushed by two weeks to November 1.[18]

Reception

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 96% of 181 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "Led by a scene-stealing turn from Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain is a powerfully funny, emotionally resonant dramedy that finds writer-director-star Jesse Eisenberg playing to his strengths on either side of the camera."[19] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 85 out of 100, based on 49 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[20]

Damon Wise of Deadline Hollywood praised Culkin for his performance, calling it "a career high".[21]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Date of ceremony Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
American Film Institute Awards December 5, 2024 Top 10 Films of the Year A Real Pain Won[a] [22]
Astra Film Awards December 8, 2024 Best Picture Nominated [23]
Best Comedy or Musical Nominated
Best Actor Jesse Eisenberg Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Won
Best Supporting Actor Kieran Culkin Won
Chicago Film Critics Association December 12, 2024 Best Supporting Actor Pending [24]
Best Original Screenplay Jesse Eisenberg Pending
Golden Globe Awards January 5, 2025 Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy A Real Pain Pending [25]
Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Jesse Eisenberg Pending
Best Screenplay Pending
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Kieran Culkin Pending
Gotham Awards December 2, 2024 Outstanding Supporting Performance Nominated [26]
Heartland International Film Festival October 21, 2024 Humor & Humanity Award A Real Pain Won [27]
Independent Spirit Awards February 22, 2025 Best Supporting Performance Kieran Culkin Pending [28]
Best Screenplay Jesse Eisenberg Pending
La Roche-sur-Yon International Film Festival October 20, 2024 Grand Prix du Jury – Compétition internationale A Real Pain Nominated [29]
Prix spécial du jury – Compétition internationale Won
National Board of Review December 4, 2024 Top 10 Films Won[a] [30]
Best Supporting Actor Kieran Culkin Won
New Orleans Film Festival October 22, 2024 Grand Jury Award – Narrative Feature A Real Pain Nominated [31]
[32]
New York Film Critics Circle December 3, 2024 Best Supporting Actor Kieran Culkin Won [33]
Palm Springs International Film Festival January 3, 2025 Breakthrough Performance Award Won [34]
Santa Barbara International Film Festival February 15, 2025 Virtuoso Award Won [35]
San Diego Film Critics Society December 9, 2024 Best Supporting Actor Won [36]
Best Original Screenplay Jesse Eisenberg Nominated
Seattle Film Critics Society December 16, 2024 Best Screenplay Pending [37]
Best Supporting Actor Kieran Culkin Pending
St. Louis Film Critics Association December 15, 2024 Best Supporting Actor Pending [38]
Best Original Screenplay Jesse Eisenberg Pending
Sundance Film Festival January 26, 2024 Grand Jury Prize – Dramatic A Real Pain Nominated [39]
[40]
Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award Jesse Eisenberg Won [40]
Valladolid International Film Festival October 26, 2024 Punto de Encuentro Award A Real Pain Nominated [41]
[42]
Warsaw Jewish Film Festival November 10, 2024 Grand Prix-POLIN Nominated [43]
[44]
Best Narrative Feature Won
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association December 8, 2024 Best Supporting Actor Kieran Culkin Won [45]
Best Original Screenplay Jesse Eisenberg Won

Notes

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  1. ^ a b This award does not have a single winner, but recognizes multiple films.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (January 21, 2024). "A Real Pain Review: Jesse Eisenberg Becomes a Major Filmmaker — and Kieran Culkin a Movie Star — in a Funny, Knife-Sharp Odyssey". Variety. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Rooney, David (January 20, 2024). "A Real Pain Review: Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin in a Film That Flows From Humor to Unexpectedly Affecting Places". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "A Real Pain". Sundance Film Festival. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  4. ^ "A Real Pain". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "A Real Pain – Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on September 21, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  6. ^ "Ellora Torchia". Conway Van Gelder Grant. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  7. ^ Dalton, Ben (August 17, 2022). "Jesse Eisenberg to direct 'A Real Pain', will star opposite Kieran Culkin (exclusive)". Screen International. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  8. ^ Goslin, Austen (January 26, 2024). "Jesse Eisenberg's new movie A Real Pain has what Succession fans have been missing". Polygon. Archived from the original on February 13, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  9. ^ "PRODUCTION: Jesse Eisenberg Shoots A Real Pain Starring Himself and Kieran Culkin in Poland". Film New Europe. May 26, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  10. ^ Dowell, Stuart (May 19, 2023). "Hollywood duo surprise Muranów locals after being spotted filming in Warsaw". The First News. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  11. ^ Beckerman, Gal (November 1, 2024). "Finally, a Holocaust Movie With No Lessons". The Atlantic. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  12. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 6, 2023). "Sundance Unveils Packed 2024 Lineup That Includes A.I., Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart, Satan, Devo & Steven Yeun". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  13. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 21, 2024). "Searchlight Lands Jesse Eisenberg-Directed 'A Real Pain' In First Big Sundance $10M WW Deal; 'Succession's Kieran Culkin Stars In Poland Road Trip Pic". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  14. ^ Galuppo, Mia (January 21, 2024). "Sundance: Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin Movie 'A Real Pain' Sells to Searchlight Pictures". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  15. ^ "Oscar contenders as gala premieres at the ZFF". mailings.zff.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  16. ^ "La Seminci mantiene su apuesta por el cine independiente estadounidense". Diario de Valladolid (in Spanish). September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  17. ^ Tangonan, EJ (April 2, 2024). "A Real Pain: Jesse Eisenberg's new film releases a new behind-the-scenes photo and announces a release date". Joblo.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  18. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 2, 2024). "Marvel Studios 2026 Title Subtracted From Release Sked, Searchlight's 'A Real Pain' Shifts". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  19. ^ "A Real Pain". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 30, 2024. Edit this at Wikidata
  20. ^ "A Real Pain". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  21. ^ Wise, Damon (January 22, 2024). "'A Real Pain' Review: Kieran Culkin Leaves Roman Roy Behind In Jesse Eisenberg's Intimate Road Movie – Sundance Film Festival". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  22. ^ Davis, Clayton (December 5, 2024). "AFI Awards: Anora, Emilia Pérez and Wicked Among 10 Best Films, Top TV Shows Include The Penguin and Shogun". Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  23. ^ Pond, Steve (November 25, 2024). "Wicked Leads Nominations for Astra Film Awards". TheWrap. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  24. ^ "The 2024 Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  25. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (December 9, 2024). "Golden Globes Nominations Revealed: Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  26. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (October 29, 2024). "Gotham Awards Nominations: Anora Leads Pack, Challengers & Nickel Boys Among Group Up For Best Feature". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  27. ^ Bongiovanni, Domenica (October 23, 2024). "Actor Craig T. Nelson and others win awards at the Heartland film festival". The Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on November 23, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  28. ^ Lang, Brent; Moreau, Jordan (December 4, 2024). "Spirit Awards 2025 Nominations: Anora and I Saw the TV Glow Lead Film Categories, Shōgun Rules TV". Variety. Archived from the original on December 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  29. ^ Lemercier, Fabien (October 21, 2024). "Pierce crowned at La Roche-sur-Yon". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on November 23, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  30. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (December 4, 2024). "Wicked and Jon M. Chu Win Big with the National Board of Review — See the Full List". IndieWire. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  31. ^ Scott, Mike (September 23, 2024). "35th New Orleans Film Festival lineup is announced". The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  32. ^ "NOFF Awards". New Orleans Film Society. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  33. ^ Frank, Jason P. (December 3, 2024). "The 2024 New York Film Critics Circle Award Winners". Vulture. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  34. ^ Verhoeven, Beatrice (November 20, 2024). "Kieran Culkin to Receive Breakthrough Performance Award From Palm Springs International Film Festival (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  35. ^ Feinberg, Scott (November 19, 2024). "Santa Barbara Film Fest: Mikey Madison, Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez Among Eight Tapped for Virtuoso Award". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  36. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 6, 2024). "The 2024 San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) Nominations". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  37. ^ Josh (December 6, 2024). "Seattle Film Critics Society announce 2024 nominees". The SunBreak. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  38. ^ "The 2024 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  39. ^ Coggan, Devan (December 6, 2023). "Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart, and Sebastian Stan films hit Sundance 2024: See the full lineup". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  40. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony; Hipes, Patrick (January 26, 2024). "Sundance Film Festival Awards: In The Summers, Dìdi, Daughters Top Winners List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  41. ^ Lang, Jamie (October 18, 2024). "Valladolid International Film Festival Director on Embracing Spain's Evolving Indie Scene, the Rise of Genre and the Importance of Retrospectives". Variety. Archived from the original on November 23, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  42. ^ Hopewell, John (October 28, 2024). "Misericordia, They Will Be Dust, Stranger Eyes Take Top Prizes at the Valladolid International Film Festival". Variety. Archived from the original on November 23, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  43. ^ "Jesse Eisenberg o "Prawdziwym bólu": cały ten film jest Polską [NASZE WIDEO]". Polish Press Agency (in Polish). November 5, 2024. Archived from the original on November 23, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  44. ^ "AWARDS 2024! - WJFF". Warsaw Jewish Film Festival. Archived from the original on November 23, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  45. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 8, 2024). "The 2024 Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
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