Julia W.

I was eager to see how A Real Pain would portray the experience of immigrants reconnecting with their heritage in Poland, especially given Jesse Eisenberg's previous remarks about his Polish roots. Unfortunately, the film fell short of my expectations. The storyline lacked depth, and the characters came across as dislikable. While the premise suggested an opportunity to explore meaningful historical and cultural insights, the execution missed the mark entirely. The film took us through two cities but failed to showcase many of the essential historical elements that would help viewers—particularly those unfamiliar with Polish history—grasp the profound experiences of Polish and Jewish communities during WWII. The visit to their grandmother's house felt inconsequential, and there was a glaring absence of engagement with locals or deeper discussions about the country's past or even simply their heritage. Moreover, the scenes in Warsaw where the characters behaved disrespectfully around the statues felt tone-deaf and out of place. Any Polish person witnessing such behavior would likely have spoken up. Instead of delving into their heritage, the protagonists seemed more interested in smoking weed and wandering aimlessly, undermining the trip's supposed purpose. While I can understand why some international audiences, particularly Americans, might view this film as an accessible introduction to Poland, it offers a shallow representation. Poland's history is rich and complex, and the film barely scratches the surface, opting for triviality over substance. Overall, A Real Pain squandered its potential to bridge cultural gaps and provide an authentic exploration of heritage. It’s disappointing that a film with such promising themes ended up feeling hollow and disconnected.

I truly enjoyed the psychological aspects of the film. As someone familiar with both couples' cultures, I don't see why people would consider their personalities odd or unrealistic. Watching one father be pathetic yet caring and loving, and the other one being a manipulating ..., was just a slight exaggeration of the average (IMO). The story seemed good and kept me engaged. However, I wasn't a big fan of the acting, hence, 4 stars. Overall, can recommend it.