On the Nose Jesse Eisenberg's Holocaust Road Trip
Dec 5, 2024
This conversation features Maia Ipp, a contributing editor at Jewish Currents focusing on memory and heritage, and Menachem Kaiser, author of Plunder, delving into the complexities of inherited trauma. They explore the film 'A Real Pain,' discussing its portrayal of generational struggles with Holocaust memory. Key themes include the emotional weight of visiting memorials, the commercialization of Holocaust narratives, and how humor intersects with Jewish identity. The dialogue invites deeper engagement with history while celebrating cultural richness in Poland.
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A Real Pain Plot
- Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin play cousins going to Poland.
- Their grandmother left them money to visit her old building.
Movie Reception
- Menachem Kaiser found the movie middling and not particularly engaging or moving.
- He appreciated the depiction of Poland but felt it was a typical indie film.
Narrative Issues
- Arielle Angel found the dialogue unrealistic and the narrative lacking clear stakes.
- She appreciated that the movie avoided typical Holocaust melodrama but felt it had untapped potential.
