A Real Pain reminds Christians why antisemitism matters

Jesse Eisenberg’s latest film, A Real Pain, is simultaneously a road trip movie, an odd-couple story and a reflection on how we process grief - all set against a backdrop of the Holocaust, as experienced by second-generation survivor families.

This juxtaposition lends the film its depth and pathos, turning it into something of a multi-layered feast. It is highly entertaining and funny, with a tight, snappy script and sparse direction that keep it moving. Moments of sadness are offset by genuinely laugh-out-loud lines and scenes that linger in the mind. It is moving, but not a heavy watch.

The story is simple: American cousins David and Benji embark on a tour of Poland, in honour of their recently deceased grandmother, a Holocaust survivor. With a small group, they travel to sites of historic Jewish communities and visit a concentration camp. Finally, they make their way to the house where their grandmother lived prior to the Holocaust.

David is a classic repressed neurotic who organises, plans, and worries about details, without ever really expressing himself or living in the moment. His cousin, Benji, played magnificently by Kieran Culkin, is the opposite - a spontaneous, freewheeling, somewhat unhinged and emotionally transparent character, who lives entirely in the moment, but who struggles with the weight of life itself.

Echoes of the Holocaust

Some reviewers have suggested that the film does not examine the tragedy of the Holocaust enough. But, for me, they are missing the point. In the Q&A session that I attended, Eisenberg made it clear that he was not intending to write a ‘Holocaust movie’.

Instead, his focus was the relationship between David and Benji, which was actually transposed from an earlier draft into the current setting to give it more poignancy and depth. The visit to the concentration camp is handled with simplicity and respect, which makes it all the more moving. But it is not the centrepiece of the film, nor what lingers in the memory.

Jewish people are experiencing a rise in antisemitic attacks not seen since the days of the Holocaust itself

Instead, the heart of the film is the relationship between the two main characters, with their different ways of approaching life and processing grief. David hides his pain, while Benji cannot hide his, however inappropriate or awkward its outpouring becomes.

It is Benji who points out the strangeness of travelling first-class to see the concentration camp where their grandma suffered such extreme deprivation. He feels - and speaks - the pain and discomfort that others push to one side. It is this that lends the film much of its charm and humour - but also creates its more meaningful moments.

A timely reminder

The film is funny, entertaining, sweet and brilliantly acted. Although it interrogates big, universal themes, it doesn’t offer trite or easy answers. The darkness of the subject matter is always balanced by the humour, lightness of touch and the cinematography, which captures Poland in all its brightness and beauty.

As well as being very entertaining, A Real Pain provides a valuable insight into the Jewish experience, both past and present, and the impact of generational trauma, specifically as it relates to the Holocaust.

For Christians, the film also provokes a poignant thought. The Church, particularly in Germany, was largely (with notable exceptions – see Bonhoeffer) silent in the face of the rising antisemitism that led to the Holocaust and the decimation of Europe’s Jewish communities. Are we willing to take a different path and make a stand against the lies, propaganda and hatred that we see today - or will we too remain silent? 

At a time when Jewish people are experiencing a rise in antisemitic attacks not seen since the days of the Holocaust itself, this film feels like a timely wake up call for followers of the Jewish Messiah to develop a deeper understanding of what this really means for Jewish people today. This should help Christians to exercise compassion towards the Jewish community and consider how we can offer our advocacy, friendship and support.

Ultimately, if you are looking for a Holocaust movie that deals thoroughly with all the big issues, you may be disappointed with A Real Pain. But if you are expecting a funny, sweet road trip film with a thought-provoking backdrop and compelling themes, I think you will love it.

A Real Pain is in UK cinemas from 8 January