Actors Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg made a notable appearance on the red carpet at the London Film Festival, unveiling their latest film, A Real Pain, which offers a comedic yet poignant exploration of family and grief.
Culkin, widely recognized for his role as Roman Roy in the Emmy-winning series Succession, and Eisenberg, who gained fame for portraying Mark Zuckerberg in the 2010 film The Social Network, star in this anticipated project. Written and directed by Eisenberg, A Real Pain has garnered acclaim at various film festivals, positioning it as a potential contender in the upcoming awards season.
While the film’s trailer might suggest a typical bro-comedy, early reviews indicate it delivers much more, blending humor with deeper emotional themes. The narrative follows two cousins navigating their journey through Poland after the death of their grandmother, a Jewish woman who escaped the Holocaust and established a new life in the United States.
In A Real Pain, Eisenberg plays the introspective and family-focused David, while Culkin embodies the impulsive and rebellious Benji. The cousins embark on a journey using the funds their grandmother left them, exploring her past while grappling with their own grief.
The film features a notable cast, including British actor Will Sharpe as the tour guide and Jennifer Grey, known for her iconic role in Dirty Dancing, as one of the tourists.
Ahead of the UK premiere, the duo graced the red carpet, with Culkin accompanied by his wife, Jazz Charton, who ensured he looked his best.
Critics have responded positively to A Real Pain. Tomris Laffly from Harper’s Bazaar described the film as “understated, funny, and gradually heart-swelling,” predicting it will make waves next awards season. The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney praised it as a “frequently laugh-out-loud funny odd couple road trip movie whose emotional wallop sneaks up and floors you.” Culkin has been recognized for delivering a “career-high performance,” with Deadline’s Damon Wise stating that “Benji is a gift of a role, the kind that makes movie stars.”
However, some debate exists within awards circles regarding Culkin’s classification as a supporting actor, given many view him as the film’s lead. Richard Lawson from Vanity Fair offered a more measured perspective, suggesting the film “is slighter than expected and is thus easily overwhelmed by Culkin’s high shtick.”
Despite the mixed reviews, A Real Pain succeeds in its tight 90-minute runtime by balancing snappy humor with profound themes of loss. Critics have noted that it tackles complex subjects in a more accessible manner than last year’s awards contender, The Zone of Interest.
Director Eisenberg effectively showcases the beauty of Poland throughout the film, contrasting the scenic landscapes with a somber visit to the Majdanek concentration camp and the family home left behind by their grandmother.
Reflecting on his collaboration with Culkin, Eisenberg shared insights with Esquire, stating, “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 improvisations ultimately resonated more naturally than the scripted lines.
Culkin’s continued success post-Succession mirrors that of many cast members from the acclaimed HBO series, which chronicled the tumultuous dynamics of a media mogul and his children vying for control of his empire. His former co-star Jeremy Strong also has a film featured at the festival, while Sarah Snook and J Smith Cameron have recently appeared in prominent London West End productions, alongside theatre veteran Brian Cox.
With A Real Pain, both Culkin and Eisenberg are poised to make an impact this awards season, as audiences continue to embrace their unique storytelling.
Related topic:
“The Apprentice” Opens to Disappointing Box Office Amid Controversy
‘Zurawski v Texas’ Wins Artemis Rising Award for Social Impact