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A Conversation about Pain and Identity: Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin Discuss Their Film A Real Pain

Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin are both in agreement on the importance of discussing personal struggles more openly, a trend they observe among younger generations. However, they admit to preferring a more reserved approach when it comes to sharing their own challenges.

Eisenberg, speaking candidly, confesses, “I know my pain is unexceptional, so I don’t feel the need to burden everybody with it. I have OCD and general anxiety disorder and bad things happen to me, but I’ll never talk about them because I don’t want that kind of attention.” His view contrasts sharply with that of millennials, who seem more willing to articulate their personal difficulties. “As a 41-year-old, it strikes me as unusual because I wasn’t raised to do that,” he reflects. “Maybe they’re living healthier, more fulfilling lives.”

Culkin echoes Eisenberg’s sentiments but adds a skeptical twist, questioning the notion of self-love that has become common in modern discourse. “When people say: ‘I learned to love myself,’ I’m like: is that good, though? Respecting and understanding oneself is great, but embracing self-love? That feels off,” he contemplates, before conceding that perhaps this outlook is indeed healthier.

A Real Pain: A Unique Journey

The duo’s latest project, A Real Pain, merges the comedic and the poignant. Eisenberg, who is the film’s writer, director, and co-star, explores themes of generational pain against a backdrop steeped in historical trauma. In the film, they portray cousins—David and Benji—on a journey to Poland to connect with their Jewish heritage, spurred by the wishes of their deceased grandmother.

Eisenberg reflects on the inspiration behind the film, sharing that he began writing in libraries, feeling a void in his life despite material success. “Volunteering and alleviating others’ pain might offer some meaning, but my pursuit of my family’s history was largely a personal quest for significance in my otherwise mundane existence,” he explains.

The narrative of A Real Pain draws from Eisenberg’s earlier short story and was shaped by an encounter with an advertisement for Auschwitz tours. This prompted him to shift the setting to Poland, where he and his wife had previously traced their roots. The film culminates in a visit to the childhood home of David and Benji’s grandmother, filmed at Eisenberg’s real-life great-aunt Doris’s home.

Doris passed away in 2019 at the age of 106, and her no-nonsense attitude had a significant influence on Eisenberg. “She was very blunt, often saying things that would leave you in tears but were spot on,” he recalls. “As I navigated my acting career, she kept me grounded, reminding me that true greatness comes from genuine actions.”

Eisenberg believes that, while his film may seem self-indulgent, it reflects a deeper struggle—a contrast between generations that lacked the same historical connection his ancestors experienced.

Family Dynamics and Parental Reflections

Recently acquiring Polish citizenship has had a profound effect on Eisenberg, though he struggles to articulate this change. In contrast, Culkin states, “I have no idea where my family is originally from, and I don’t care! I’m just here.” This difference highlights their individual experiences regarding familial connections.

Culkin’s family, his wife and children, accompany him on his professional endeavors, a choice he emphasizes as crucial. His dedication to them is palpable, and Eisenberg notes how much this commitment resonates with him, as both men prioritize family over personal ambition.

Additionally, Eisenberg’s real-life son has a brief but meaningful role in the film, fostering an intellectual connection with his character that goes beyond standard emotional ties. This depth of character development is a testament to Eisenberg’s careful crafting of these relationships.

A Holistic Approach to Emotion in Film

The film addresses the complexities of history and pain through humor and introspection. Grey, who plays Marcia in the film, emphasizes the necessity of empathy and awareness of others’ suffering: “We don’t know what anyone’s going through… Nobody gets out of this thing alive,” she notes.

The emotional weight of filming at significant historical sites left Grey overcome with a sense of generational trauma, an experience she describes as both haunting and necessary for understanding the past. Sharpe echoes this sentiment, speaking to the overwhelming nature of processing such trauma.

When discussing the sensibilities of portraying such weighty themes on screen, Eisenberg strives to avoid making a “sanctimonious Holocaust movie.” He draws comparisons with other significant films that tackled similar themes with restraint and authenticity, aiming for a genuine engagement with the past.

The Balance of Humor and Historical Significance

A Real Pain deftly navigates the difficult territory of discussing suffering while maintaining a comedic lens. Eisenberg humorously critiques the concept of “Auschwitz tours (with lunch)” as a way to engage more visitors, implying that commodifying tragedy can sometimes be necessary without detracting from its gravity.

Reflecting on how the narratives of the past impact present experiences, Eisenberg recognizes that the memories of injustice fuel ongoing activism and tribute. He appreciates how Polish neighbors of his ancestors honor historical memory, countering the prevailing narrative among some New York Jews.

As the film unfolds, it continuously prompts the viewer to consider how we handle grief and loss, a question Eisenberg grapples with throughout the creative process. Yet, like many profound questions, he admits he does not have the answers.

A Real Pain is now available for audiences, inviting viewers into a layered exploration of identity, struggle, and the complexities of remembering the past while moving toward the future.

Source
www.theguardian.com