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A Real Pain

I thought you fine folks might find this movie worth your consideration:

https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/movies/billgoodykoontz/2024/11/11/real-pain-review/76113606007/

American Jewish cousins David and Benji embark on a trip to Poland to visit the childhood home of their late grandmother, and to connect with their heritage. David, a reserved and pragmatic father and husband, contrasts sharply with Benji, a free-spirited and eccentric drifter. Their personalities clash as Benji criticizes David for losing his former passion and spontaneity, while David struggles with Benji’s unfiltered outbursts and lack of direction in life.

The pair have travelled as part of a Holocaust tour group led by James, a knowledgeable yet detached gentile British tour guide. The cousins' dynamic is tested throughout the trip, from a missed train stop to a confrontation at the Old Jewish Cemetery where Benji critiques the tour's lack of emotional authenticity and challenges its focus on facts and statistics, to David's embarrassment. Benji nonetheless connects with the group members, who find themselves moved by his emotional honesty.

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I recently attended a screening of this movie and had the opportunity to hear from actors Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, and Jennifer Gray afterwards. They explained how it was filmed almost entirely in Poland, with a largely Polish cast and crew and the support of the government. A scene in the movie where they tour a concentration camp was the first ever instance of the government allowing a movie to be filmed at a camp (even Schindler's List had to build its own sets). Jesse Eisenberg, who directed, had personally appealed to have this happen, promising it would be entirely respectful, and reinforce the mission of the museum. The movie is poignant and I really enjoyed it. Plus, only 90 minutes long.