Rent A Real Pain (2024)

Clever, Witty, Exceptional Comedy/Drama - A Real Pain review by GI

A witty, humour filled and yet serious drama from writer, director and star Jesse Eisenberg that is clever, moving and a real treat. Basically a road movie that hovers between the trivialities of modern day problems and the horrors of history in this case the Holocaust. This is the story of two American cousins, the introverted David (Eisenberg) and the free spirited Benji (Kieran Culkin) who were very close as children but have since grown apart. David has a secure job and a family whereas Benji has a more laid back life still living in his parents basement. They have reunited on a tour to Poland basically to honour their recently deceased grandmother who was a Holocaust survivor and to find her childhood home. The tour is an organised one with a small group of tourists, led by a tour guide (Will Sharpe), who David hesitatingly tries to be a part but Benji embraces with full on intensity of personality in a tour de force of uncontrollable personality flitting between mood swings of emotional bonding to sharp anger. The narrative cleverly explores the real issues that lay deep within these two especially Benji who harbours demons that gradually reveal themselves. It's not explicit but Benji certainly has serious anxiety as he borders on alienating his fellow travellers but seems to unite them too whilst David cringes in horror at his mood swings. This character driven part of the story is intertwined with the experience of the Holocaust tour and highlights the American experience of trying to come to terms with the horrors that a previous generation preferred to keep silent about. The script is a masterclass of understatement and yet is has a strong message that resonates throughout the entire film. Culkin gets the funny lines and he dominates the film but rightly so as this is about his journey. His child like reactions and switch to fierce anger is a cleverly written and performed character. There's a lot to enjoy in this film, it's sort of arrived without fanfare but it deserves to be recognised for the sheer cleverness in its easy nature and moving story. The ending is a tear inducing one.

Watchable, Intelligent, Cleverly Written Character Study by Jesse Eisenberg - A Real Pain review by PV

I enjoyed this. It's a clearly well-written character piece with a standard chalk and cheese pairing, this time of 2 Jewish New York cousins who could not be more different.

Jesse Eisenberg shows he is bright enough to write an intelligent script like this (unlike many actors who are really not that bright - why screenplays have to SPELL EVERYTHING OUT and never use jokes or irony, because the aforementioned actors will not get it... trust me). Jesse E always directed, no easy task and one which often goes wrong for those attempting writer-director-actor trick in a film.

The acting is believable even if the tolerant reactions of all the people are not. I did like the 'prodigal son' type envy at the end, no spoilers, even if it is not really credible. Jesse E does his usual nerdy neurotic act, even mentioning Xanax and ADHD I think.

In my mind, Will Sharpe as the northern English tour guide steals the show though, and boy that character has the patience of a saint and tbh I do not really believe the reaction of him and other tour members to the deeply annoying and loud potty-mouthed insulting Benji.

I liked seeing Poland and hearing the tour guide info too.

In my view, Jeremy Strong should have won the best supporting actor for The Apprentice, not Culkin here (the association with Trump may have done for Strong's brilliant portrayal of The Donald's reptilian amoral gay mentor from the 1970s). BUT that is usual for me, I often disagree with Oscar choices,

4 stars.

Overated - A Real Pain review by cr

I know that this has had some impressive reviews but i found it slow and irritating.

Jesse eisenberg is doing his best woody allen impression in a "look at me i am socially awkward" way.

Whereas keran culkin is just an annoying, attention seeking american abroad.

My sympathy for him soon evaporated over the short run time.

There are some moving moments where they visit a nazi camp in poland.

Another annoyance was the constant intrusive piano music.

Not for me.