BRIAN VINER reviews A Real Pain: A masterpiece from the heir to Woody Allen

A Real Pain (15, 90 minutes)

Verdict: Truly wonderful

Jesse Eisenberg stated that a marketing pitch for guided tours at Auschwitz, complete with a meal, sparked his motivation to pen “A Real Pain.

In my perspective as a lifestyle expert, I’ve transformed that darkly comedic irony – the jarring contrast between the immense suffering suggested by a single word like Auschwitz and the luxurious amenities of contemporary tourism – into a profoundly moving cinematic experience.

A Remarkable Comedy manages to be riotously humorous, subtly clever, heartrendingly emotional, and painstakingly insightful. To achieve such a balance within a span of only 90 minutes is truly impressive.

As a dedicated admirer, I find myself following the captivating narrative where I embody Eisenberg’s character, David. In this compelling tale, Kieran Culkin, freshly honored with a Golden Globe for his exceptional portrayal, takes on the role of my first cousin, Benji.

Two Jewish individuals from New York, born merely weeks apart, have maintained a strong bond throughout their lives, overlooking their distinct personalities and various health conditions they share (hyphenated disorders).

David, who’s married and has a child, exhibits tendencies of obsession and compulsion, struggles with social anxiety, and is often introspective. On the other hand, Benji is unmarried, outgoing, and charismatic. He’s also energetic to a fault and grapples with serious attention issues.

BRIAN VINER reviews A Real Pain: A masterpiece from the heir to Woody Allen

As I eagerly anticipate the journey ahead, I find myself standing at the threshold of an unforgettable adventure. I’m about to set foot in Poland, where I will unite with fellow admirers, paying tribute to my beloved grandmother Dory – a survivor whose indomitable spirit continues to inspire me. This ‘Holocaust tour’ is more than just a trip; it’s a solemn pilgrimage, a way of honoring the memory of my grandma who so bravely endured and triumphed over adversity before her recent passing.

They intend to take a break from the tour for the final few days, exploring the location where Dory resided prior to being taken away to the camps.

Eisenberg’s characters, with their distinct personalities that often clash, offer him many chances to create both touching and humorous moments, which he skillfully takes advantage of.

In a surprising twist reminiscent of Roman Roy from Succession, but with an unexpected edge, Culkin and he portray characters that are convincingly affectionate cousins. However, David harbors persistent envy towards Benji’s charm, which at times drives him to frustration. Speaking candidly at the party, David confesses his complex emotions: “I adore him, I despise him, I wish to eliminate him, I yearn to be him.

They’ve been penned and acted flawlessly, I must say. Notably, Will Sharpe (of The White Lotus) shines as James, the amiable, non-Jewish tour guide from the northern part of England, who receives a reprimand from Benji in a cemetery for chattering too much.

It’s ironic, considering his past, but Culkin skillfully portrays the inconsistencies in Benji, carelessly disregarding others’ feelings while possessing hyper-sensitive reactions of his own.

1. Despite his history, Culkin masterfully captures the incongruities within Benji, acting insensitively towards others and yet being highly sensitive himself.
2. It’s surprising, given his background, but Culkin convincingly depicts the contradictions in Benji, showing disregard for other people’s feelings while demonstrating extreme sensitivity of his own.
3. Given his past actions, it seems odd that Culkin delivers an authentic portrayal of the inconsistencies in Benji, displaying a callous attitude towards others’ feelings and yet being overly sensitive himself.

Benji seems uncomfortable or uneasy around a group of 21st-century Jewish Americans traveling in the first class of a Polish train.

He states that he intends to transition to an ordinary-class carriage. One of his travel associates remarks dryly, “I doubt you’ll encounter much hardship there.

Apart from James, the group consists of six individuals, five of whom are American citizens, while one, named Eloge (Kurt Egyiawan), is an African man who relocated to Canada, embraced Judaism, and unfortunately lost relatives during the Rwanda genocide.

This version maintains the original information but aims for a more conversational tone and provides additional context about Eloge’s background.

It seems the character is based on Eisenberg’s friend, as he drew heavily from his personal experiences and ancestry to create this movie.

In fact, the humble abode that was once home to Grandma Dory’s Polish-born great-aunt now serves as her childhood residence.

One method through which Eisenberg has inherited the mantle from Woody Allen is by deeply embracing his roots, portraying himself as an intelligent, anxious, understated Jewish New Yorker on screen, which seems fitting given their similar backgrounds. This continuation extends off-screen, as he now assumes the roles of writer and director as well.

If you appreciate the finest works of Allen, such as Annie Hall (1977) and Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), then you are likely to find A Real Pain quite delightful.

I savored each and every moment of the 90 minutes, and let me tell you, it was a masterclass in concise storytelling. Allen excelled at this skill as well.

This film could be one he would’ve loved to create, perhaps even managed at some point, given its abundance of warmth and sensitivity over many of his others. It’s a tiny yet profound work of art.

Babygirl (18, 114 minutes)

Verdict: Clever and racy

A similar assertion doesn’t apply to the film Babygirl. While it does include some narrative absurdity, overall it is a smart, provocative, psychosexual thriller. Nicole Kidman portrays Romy, a successful corporate executive who appears content in her marriage to Jacob (Antonio Banderas), a theatre director. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes infatuated with one of the new interns, the handsome and self-assured Samuel (Harris Dickinson).

Halina Reijn’s movie isn’t solely about a clandestine office romance spanning different age groups; instead, it delves deeper into themes such as power dynamics and corporate politics.

Samuel gets a feeling that Romy, who typically gives out instructions, secretly desires to be the one receiving commands instead.

So the CEO and the intern switch roles; the boss becomes the bossed.

As a devoted admirer, I must say that both performances are outstanding, but Nicole Kidman truly shines. She herself has labeled it as her most vulnerable portrayal yet, and coming from an actress who gave such a raw performance in Eyes Wide Shut back in 1999, this is quite remarkable.

Despite being typically not associated with being a cuckold throughout his career, Banderas delivers top-notch supporting roles.

Banderas, who is usually not thought of as a ‘cuckold’, provides exceptional support in his roles.

Throughout his career, Banderas has been anything but a cuckold, yet he consistently offers first-class support in his roles.

In the story, subtly, the subject of some speculated plastic surgery that may have restricted Nicole Kidman’s facial expressions to a certain extent, is skillfully incorporated.

If you’re looking for someone who seems fond of Botox, that would be Romy. Thus, if you think a little boost might suit you during this chilly, frosty January, why not try out the charming Romy?

2025-01-10 04:30

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