"A Real Pain"

[Magical Realist]

A really good film. Funny and complex and real. Written and directed by Eisenburg with an Oscar-nominated performance by Culkin. See before the Oscars..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2et8Vpu7Ls

[C C]

Yeah, probably some major acrobatics in welding Holocaust heritage tour to comedy (or at least the type of role that Kieran Culkin often plays). But maybe about time after eight decades.

Since there are so many Jewish and partially Jewish actors (usually no need for a gentile to play a Jewish character), I was struck by somebody as Irish/Catholic as Kieran (especially name-wise) getting the role. Though a similar factor apparently applies to most of the cast, too (sans Eisenberg, certainly).

I guess I vaguely knew that he (along with Macaulay) was born into a large family, but his mother was one of eleven and his father was one of eight, too. Can't necessarily "blame" it all on the Catholic background for Kieran's particular family generation (no belief in birth control), since Christopher Culkin sounds like he was more of a negligent, indifferent, missing father than perhaps one strictly dominating his partner/children.

[Magical Realist]

Not to spoil it for anyone, but the general consensus, though never stated in the film, is that Benji is bipolar. I saw a hint of that when he couldn't remember telling the tour guide to tone it down on the factoids. My mother could never remember what she said or did during her manic episodes.

[Magical Realist]

Well wadda ya know? He won!

If you're wondering what he said that got bleeped out, here it is:

"Culkin, 42, took a moment in his acceptance speech to shout out Strong, 46, for his performance, but it was largely bleeped out for those unable to view the event live from Dolby Theatre.

However, video of the moment obtained by Deadline reveals that Culkin dropped the night's first F-bomb in his sweet message for Strong.

"He's right, by the way. Jeremy, you're amazing in The Apprentice," said Culkin, referencing presenter Robert Downey Jr.'s sentimental message for his friend and fellow actor's efforts in the Donald Trump-inspired flick. "I love your work. It's f---ing great."

Culkin then covered his mouth briefly before adding, "I'm not supposed to single anyone out. It's favoritism. Anyway, but you were great."

[Image: hPr0bOB.jpeg]

[C C]

Well wadda ya know? He won!

If you're wondering what he said that got bleeped out, here it is:

"Culkin, 42, took a moment in his acceptance speech to shout out Strong, 46, for his performance, but it was largely bleeped out for those unable to view the event live from Dolby Theatre.

However, video of the moment obtained by Deadline reveals that Culkin dropped the night's first F-bomb in his sweet message for Strong.

"He's right, by the way. Jeremy, you're amazing in The Apprentice," said Culkin, referencing presenter Robert Downey Jr.'s sentimental message for his friend and fellow actor's efforts in the Donald Trump-inspired flick. "I love your work. It's f---ing great."

Culkin then covered his mouth briefly before adding, "I'm not supposed to single anyone out. It's favoritism. Anyway, but you were great."

After the commotion of this week and the next settles, I'll track it down somewhere to watch. Haven't seen a lot of Searchlight Pictures in the past (if any). Oh, wait -- "Jojo Rabbit" -- saw that. Maybe a few other titles, too, that just aren't ringing a bell right away.

[Magical Realist]

A listing of all Searchlight pictures. The list is substantial going back to 1995. I've seen quite of few of them.

https://www.imdb.com/list/ls544644287/