REVIEW: A REAL PAIN

4/5

My Cousin's Keeper

90 Mins. Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy & Daniel Oreskes. Screenplay: Jesse Eisenberg. Director: Jesse Eisenberg. On: Hulu & Disney +.

It's 'A Real Pain' when a movie gets no, or in this case, half the attention it deserves at the Oscars. With all due respect to the Academy Awards and the brilliant 'Brutalist' and 'Anora' big-winners. It's been an incredible, 'Conclave' of compelling movies, this year, despite the drama ('Emilia Perez') and some movies going home undeservedly empty-handed (the 'Sing Sing' best of the bunch). But I get it, you can't honour every movie (was the 'Forrest Gump' reunion of 'Here' really that bad?), a nomination is an incredible thing it itself. But that's the point. I'm sorry, Pedro Pascal, you're truly fantastic, but 'Succession' star Kieran Culkin deserves every glint of the gold of his Best Supporting Actor Academy Award, especially for his "baby number four", best in show speech, that we could never play off with music. This won't be the accomplished actor's last rodeo. But where's the love for the great Jesse Eisenberg? Sure, 'The Social Network' star did receive a BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay, but the 'A Real Pain' director and star brings it in all areas like when Bradley Cooper showed us 'A Star Is Born'.

Perhaps, Culkin is just Eisenberg's Gaga. Despite the fact that this act is one on 'The Double', like the indie hit for the former Lex Luthor. Your new Harley Quinn would probably love the shirt, braces and glasses combo Kieran rocked as a kid, alongside his brother Macaulay Culkin (he's the one next up for a major career redefining role) in 'Home Alone' alongside all that milk and cheese pizza which still looks like the best pie we've never tasted. Culkin is crazy compelling and courageous as a conflicted cousin who would rather use his charisma to charm himself out of conflict. There's a lot going on here as we lay down our stones, and Kieran isn't afraid to get brutally honest, either...or he just may not know any other way to be. As for Jesse, he's holding way too much in. And even when it all comes out on the dinner table, or like a Fresh Prince, it comes laced with apologies and even more anxiety. Both cousins, who feel more like brothers, but let's not dismiss that side of the family as not being close, struggle with their odd couple mix of no filter and shyness in the shade. Exactly what makes this movie so great and such a double-act.

Now, if you think this road dramedy with a brilliant bookend is going to finish up like the legendary 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles', think again. 'The Farewell' of this 'Little Miss Sunshine' or 'The Darjeeling Limited' road-trip is not like the 'Due Date' that was inspired by John Candy and Steve Martin...but these two may be just as funny as them both. And sweet and sincere too. 'A Real Pain' is a pilgrimage to Poland in honour of their late grandmother. And on this Jewish heritage tour, they meet even more characters. The great Jennifer Grey of 'Ferris Buellers Day Off' and 'Dirty Dancing', absolutely incredible here. Will Sharpe's even sharper take on a beautifully bumbling British tour guide. The sincere Kurt Egyiawan, kindly Liza Sadovy and her lovely husband Daniel Oreskes. They all matter. Especially in a lovely moment when they turn a war memorial into a fun celebration of spirit, without a trace of mean spirited disrespect. You'll need this levity, as the moments in the concentration camps will hit you harder than anything aside from actually being there. Especially when you realize that seemingly teasing sky blue is no paint. 'A Real Pain' takes is out of us, yet it takes all our pain and turns it into something beautiful. Understanding. Something shared, like family. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Farewell', 'The Darjeeling Limited'. 'Little Miss Sunshine'.