You need to understand that A Real Pain in this flick isn’t about the past, but the present, wherein, Benji, sitting at the airport without any family or friends to accompany him (despite being a good man); shown in the ending, leafing through at the airport; and the title of the movie appears on his right, further ratifying what exactly the real pain is; and I assume, what makers of the movie too wanted to project.
The last/this century had/has been catastrophic for many nations & people. Even today, billions are paying not for what they have done, but, where they took birth!
I feel after The Past Lives, more flicks with similar themes have been made, following the same pace, wherein there’s no story as such, but, the conversation is enough to stitch the story in accordance with your own experiences. Like, some would say, a real pain was past polish memories of the ancestors of the tour group; whilst others would think, what I wrote above, that a real pain was not left behind, rather, what’s been carry forward till the present times; being alone, at the airport, and no one to talk to, again, despite having clear soul.
David too shares his own griefs’, of being stuck in the selfsame lifecycle, suffering from his own OCDs; despite miracles that saved their grandmother surviving the past, building a fortune from scratch; which both David and Benji had not to face the same pressure, rather inheriting what’s been left for them.
The basic point of the movie is to send a message, that how come something that evolved from miracles, ends up being so lonely, after all, again, despite having clean and clear heart? More being in case of Benji!
My suggestion is if you’re travelling anywhere to experience -> experience + nostalgia, then ne’er hire a tour guide, nor travel at least with an unknown group, no matter how much good deal you’re getting.
Further, I was surprised to see David’s affection for Benji! I don’t know how many cousins share the same mutual feelings today.
I watched this movie in the theatre without a break or interval, hence I was flowing with the rhythm, and thus liked the flick. There was no unwarranted scratching of past or present; rather, it gave a feel of sipping coffee in the coffee shop, slowly and steadily.
If you’ve a big screen at home, then watch in the after hours. But, I watched in the theatre during the weekdays, in the afternoon, and as the theater wasn’t crowded; this movie gave me a feel-good factor.
Even in the brotherly discussions, there’s no cuss, shouting, nor that emotionally draining blame game. As smoothly it starts, delicately it ends, exuding the fragile emotions of a man in -> a real pain.
All said & done, a good watch! 😊
© Pranav Chaturvedi