A Real Pain: A Journey Through Memory and Identity
In the poignant film “A Real Pain,” written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, set to hit theaters on November 1, two first cousins, portrayed by Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin, embark on a significant journey to a small Polish town. This is the very place where their recently departed grandmother lived before the horrors of the Holocaust swept across Europe.
As they approach her former home, Eisenberg’s character, David, who embodies a more introspective and reserved demeanor, suggests a traditional Jewish gesture of remembrance. He proposes that they leave stones on the doorstep, referencing the age-old custom of placing stones on graves.
“She’s not buried here,” Benji, played by Culkin, retorts, illustrating the disconnect between their heritage and their present reality.
“I know,” David replies, “but this is the last place she was in Poland. It’s the last place any of us were.” In this moment, the act of leaving stones transcends mere tradition; it becomes a symbol of connection to their family’s past, echoing the complexities of memory and identity.
The film captures the essence of the third generation of Holocaust survivors—descendants who grapple with the weight of a history that, even nearly 80 years later, continues to influence their lives. This generation often finds that their experiences are not solely defined by the Holocaust itself, but rather by the echoes of its impact on their family lineage.
“A Real Pain” serves as a testament to this generation’s unique perspective. While the cousins participate in an organized tour of Holocaust memorials and historic sites, much of their journey is marked by levity and humor, aside from a solemn visit to the Majdanek concentration camp. David and Benji predominantly mourn not the Holocaust itself, but rather their beloved grandmother, who managed to survive its atrocities.
Throughout the film, they confront their own personal struggles, including the gradual unraveling of their relationship. They often find themselves questioning the very reason for their presence in Poland, reflecting the broader existential inquiries that many descendants face as they navigate their heritage.
Jesse Eisenberg, during the filming of “A Real Pain,” captures the delicate balance between remembrance and the lived experiences of those who came after, inviting audiences to reflect on the ways in which history shapes our identities and relationships.
