Real Pain Felt During 100 Holocaust Tours… Movie ‘Real Pain’

Jewish Cousins Road Movie… Directed & Starring Jesse Eisenberg

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(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Boram Oh = David (played by Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (played by Kieran Culkin) are cousins who grew up almost like real brothers, yet have completely different personalities.

According to David’s expression, Benji is a man who “lights up the whole room.” Even though he expresses his feelings directly, he naturally mingles with strangers and exudes charm. On the other hand, the typical “nerd” David is clumsy in relationships with others and seeks stability.

Due to David, who is busy with family life in New York and work, their relationship has become distant. Then, when their grandmother suddenly passes away, following the will of the Holocaust survivor, the two travel to Poland and spend time together after a long time.

The movie ‘Real Pain,’ directed and starring Jesse Eisenberg, is a road movie depicting the journey of David and Benji on a Holocaust tour.

In the early part, showing the sights of Poland that bear the sorrows of the Jews, you might think it’s a movie focused on ‘dark tourism’ (travel that seeks to gain lessons from places where tragic history occurred), but the atmosphere isn’t that heavy. Thanks to the unpredictable Benji.

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He leads the party, suggesting funny poses in front of a statue of the people who fought against the German army, or makes others laugh with silly jokes. As always, Benji is a pro at winning people over to his side.

However, as the journey continues, his mood swings. Thinking of his ancestors who once boarded trains to concentration camps, he refuses to ride in first class and inconveniences others by criticizing the guide’s mechanical way of explaining.

David is tormented by anxiety watching Benji. But it’s a bit extreme. It feels almost like a mother bird trying to protect her fragile chick.

The scene revealing Benji’s past finally unravels the mystery. Although Benji seemingly lives without much thought, he is unable to escape the pain and depression within. For David, just watching such a cousin is tormenting.

The audience finds themselves empathizing not only with the two men but also with their fellow travelers, each with their own stories, and ultimately with the suffering endured by Holocaust victims. It seems that Eisenberg wanted to show that even in this drying-up world, there’s a piece of hope by portraying people who make others’ pain their own.

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In the short hour-and-a-half runtime, you can experience the mysterious connection of past and present, and self and others. The script is filled with delicate dialogues, as if each word was carefully inscribed, and the uniqueness of the setting in Poland captures you into the world of ‘Real Pain.’ Especially for those who have watched their loved ones suffering, you’ll feel an overwhelming urge to embrace Benji.

With this film, Eisenberg won the Script Award at the 40th Sundance Film Festival. A proven actor, starring in films like ‘Zombieland’ (2009), ‘The Social Network’ (2010), ‘Now You See Me’ (2013), and ‘Café Society’ (2016), he ventured into directing with ‘When You Finish Saving the World’ (2022). Just 2 years later, ‘Real Pain’ was nominated for Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Actor (Eisenberg), and Best Supporting Actor (Culkin) at the American Golden Globes, elevating him as a next-generation Hollywood director.

Kieran Culkin, playing the role of the lively but secretly burdened Benji, received his first Golden Globe trophy in the Motion Picture category. Known as the younger brother of Macaulay Culkin, the famous child actor from the ‘Home Alone’ series, he is having a renaissance as an actor after the success of the drama ‘Succession’ in 2020.

Opens on the 15th. 90 minutes. Rated 15 and above.

[Provided by Walt Disney Company Korea. No resale or DB use allowed]

rambo@yna.co.kr