A Real Pain: Jesse Eisenberg’s Emotional Journey to Discover His Family’s Holocaust Past
Jesse Eisenberg’s latest film, “A Real Pain,” takes audiences on an emotional journey as he stars alongside Kieran Culkin, portraying mismatched New York Jewish cousins. The story follows their trip to Poland in search of their recently deceased grandmother’s life before the Holocaust. Eisenberg plays David, a neurotic individual dependent on OCD medication, while Culkin takes on the role of Benji, a charming yet obnoxious character with no prospects. As the cousins explore Poland, they visit a concentration camp, confront a suicide attempt, and contemplate the pain their ancestors endured during the Holocaust. The film premiered at Sundance, leaving the audience in tears and receiving an enthusiastic standing ovation.
During the question and answer session following the premiere, Eisenberg, dressed in hiking boots, a plaid shirt, and a sports jacket, expressed his gratitude towards the producers who supported him throughout the film’s production. He also acknowledged their advice to make the script shorter, resulting in a more refined final product. Culkin joined Eisenberg on stage, eliciting a lopsided smile from the audience. Culkin’s performance was described as transformative, adding depth and sadness to his character. When asked about acting opposite Eisenberg, who also directed the film, Culkin humorously shared that while they had a good rapport, they both had notes for each other after each scene.
Laughter filled the Eccles Theater as the atmosphere shifted from sobbing to amusement. Eisenberg then invited Jennifer Grey to join them on stage. Grey portrayed a divorced Jewish mother who accompanies the cousins on their group tour. With a wicked smile, Grey described Eisenberg and Culkin as “dickish but not dicks,” praising their performances. The absence of some friends involved in the film was acknowledged, particularly Emma Stone, who contributed the plot twist where David fails to wake up Benji on a train, causing them to miss their stop. Eisenberg jokingly mentioned that the idea was Stone’s, who was not present at the premiere.
Despite the lighthearted moments, “A Real Pain” holds deep personal significance for Eisenberg. The cousins’ visit to their grandmother’s house, a nondescript dwelling, becomes a poignant moment in the film. Eisenberg revealed that the house depicted on screen is his own family’s house, from which his relatives were taken in 1939. While he emphasized that the film is not overly autobiographical, he acknowledged the influence of his own family history on the story. The central theme of the fraught relationship between the two cousins is one that Eisenberg has explored in some of his previous works.
Reflecting on the emotional impact of the film, Eisenberg admitted that he expected to have cathartic breakdowns every day during filming. However, the reality of being on a movie set with time constraints and logistical challenges often overshadowed his personal connection to the story. He shared a bittersweet smile as he recounted his conversations with his father about visiting the family’s house. Despite the complexities, Eisenberg acknowledged that he had to keep pushing forward, as the production demanded it.
“A Real Pain” is a testament to Jesse Eisenberg’s ability to delve into personal and emotional narratives. Through his portrayal of David and his collaboration with Kieran Culkin, the film explores themes of family history, pain, and resilience. As audiences witnessed at Sundance, this heartfelt story resonates deeply and leaves a lasting impact.
