What To Know
- Among the early favorites is ‘A Real Pain’, a directorial debut that intertwines family history and identity in a uniquely compelling narrative.
- Both David and Benji are aware of the monstrous scale of suffering caused by the Nazi Holocaust but seek deeper understanding in Poland—appreciating their grandmother’s spiritual strength during dire times transforms their quest into a personal search for family footprints.
With the Golden Globe nominations, the 2025 awards season has officially begun. Among the early favorites is ‘A Real Pain’, a directorial debut that intertwines family history and identity in a uniquely compelling narrative.
an original take on a complex theme
‘A Real Pain’ delves into the subject of familial legacy through an uncommon lens. It questions how memories, traumas, and hardships of prior generations impact a family. While not entirely new to cinema, the film presents this theme as a journey of growth. David and Benji decide to understand their inherited legacy by visiting Poland—a decision that unlocks an unexpected spiritual journey.
In Europe, they attempt to grasp how their grandmother survived the Nazi Holocaust, exploring this from an emotional and intellectual distance. Family stories have always been part of their context, but in Poland, particularly at their grandmother’s childhood home, these tales become tangible realities marked by miraculous events that allowed her escape against all odds.
The film avoids magical or exaggerated ideas to illustrate how David and Benji begin to comprehend another facet of the Jewish diaspora. Instead of melodrama, it renders its characters as fallible beings full of questions amidst an unexpected maturation process. This honest perspective on pain and forgiveness is uncommon yet allows the script to incorporate historical context and evolving concepts like ethics—essential for fully understanding the protagonists’ experiences.
real history as backdrop
‘A Real Pain’ narrates its characters’ journey from Warsaw through rural Polish landscapes to Majdanek concentration camp. Each location’s history is crucial for understanding both characters’ spiritual evolution. However, the script avoids moralizing lessons or immediate moral opinions about tragedy; rather, it uses Poland’s brutal past to highlight memory’s importance and commemoration.
The film emphasizes connecting familial inheritance with respect for personal roots and identity. Both David and Benji are aware of the monstrous scale of suffering caused by the Nazi Holocaust but seek deeper understanding in Poland—appreciating their grandmother’s spiritual strength during dire times transforms their quest into a personal search for family footprints.
This unique perspective prevents ‘A Real Pain’ from being just another World War II survival tale; instead, it becomes an intimate experience of a family seeking origin amid one of twentieth-century history’s most significant events.
the effective use of humor
While ‘A Real Pain’ isn’t a comedy, black humor permeates its storyline—particularly in how Benji grapples with his Jewish identity. The script places him—a man conflicted over his ethical legacy—at the center of existential inquiries as he reflects on whether Jewish diaspora experiences impacted his life differently.
- The humor serves as reflection on weighty topics through relatable storytelling.
- ‘A Real Pain’ doesn’t aim to be historical epic or ethical saga but instead shows David—and especially Benji—accepting their grandmother’s experiences as part of themselves.
Kieran Culkin imbues Benji with curiosity that drives him towards uncomfortable questions while challenging general notions about suffering.
final thoughts
‘A Real Pain’ focuses less on past events than how they affect future narratives—including those involving descendants who must reconcile fear, anguish—and ultimately find peace despite precarious circumstances—a premise explored with emotional sensitivity making it poised for potential acclaim in coming months.
