A Real Pain

(Watched at a preview in Bristol as part of the London Film Festival)

I had high hopes for "A Real Pain" but despite a handful of funny moments and emotional speeches there are simply far too many areas where it misses the mark.

The biggest positive is Jesse Eisenberg himself. The writer/director anchors the film as awkward-yet-successful New Yorker David, who invites his cousin Benji (Kieran Culkin) on a trip to Poland to pay respect to their grandmother and reflect on their personal struggles. Eisenberg is believable and sympathetic, and is at the heart of the best scenes.

But Culkin is simply annoying. It is an energetic performance, no doubt about it, but his volatility and inability to read a situation means that he is the kind of person you would try to get away from within minutes of meeting them. It's hard to believe that he becomes the star attraction of the tour group.

Will Sharpe is also very weak as the tour guide, putting on an effete Yorkshire accent for comedy effect - perhaps American ears may not be so bothered by it but these British ears were very disappointed. The role would have been far stronger if played straight.

The other cast members have small roles but Jennifer Grey (yes, THE Jennifer Grey) and Kurt Egyiawan stand out, adding authenticity to their characters.

Aside from the variable performances, there is a general sense that the scenes were improvised and workshopped as they went along. Situations develop, or are implied to have developed, without any obvious cause or resolution. For a drama to succeed - and at heart, this is a drama - there needs to be a tautness to the script and story development that "A Real Pain" lacks. Any momentum that builds up slips away easily - I was looking at my watch after half an hour, and the film feels long even though it runs for less than 90 minutes.

Oh, and there are times when it feels like a promotion for the Polish tourist board - don't get me wrong, it made me want to visit, I just don't think that is the role of a feature film.

"A Real Pain" hints at having something important to say about grief, but it never finds the right words. A missed opportunity.