A Real Pain is a deceptively simple film. There’s not a lot going on on the surface, but Eisenberg’s smart script and tight direction, coupled with Culkin’s firecracker performance fuel the film with heart and infectious energy. A Real Pain shines when it focuses on the cousins’ bondat once pained and precious—but it also works as a strong ensemble of realistic characters, and as a heartfelt tribute to the Holocaust victims of the region. Eisenberg does an excellent job of tying the characters’ flaws and emotions with the horrors of the past. It deals with heavy stuff, but there’s an impressive restraint at play here, even during Eisenberg and Culkin’s big moments. They’re moving (but never overly sentimental) and truly memorable.
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Awards
Nominee: Best Original Screenplay at the OscarsWinner: Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars
Winner: Best Screenplay (Original) at the BAFTA AwardsWinner: Best Supporting Actor at the BAFTA AwardsNominee: Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes (USA)Nominee: Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes (USA)Winner: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture at the Golden Globes (USA)Motion Picture: Best Screenplay at the Golden Globes (USA)Winner: Best Screenplay at the Independent Spirit AwardsWinner: Best Supporting Performance at the Independent Spirit AwardsWinner: Best Screenplay at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association AwardsWinner: Best Supporting Performance at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association AwardsWinner: Best Supporting Actor at the National Board of ReviewWinner: Top Films at the National Board of ReviewWinner: Best Supporting Actor at the New York Film Critics Circle AwardsWinner: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role at the Screen Actors Guild AwardsWinner: Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic at the Sundance Film FestivalNominee: Original Screenplay at the Writers Guild of America
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Director
Jesse Eisenberg
Actors
Daniel Oreskes, Ellora Torchia, Jennifer Grey, Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy, Marek Kasprzyk, Will Sharpe
Language
English, Polish
Mood
Character-driven, Dramatic, Emotional, Heart-warming, Tear-jerker, Touching, Well-acted
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Why the F is this listed in the Comedy section?