Tag: Robert Nassau

A REAL PAIN (2024)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Written & Directed By: Jesse Eisenberg 

Cinematography: Michal Dymek

Editor: Robert Nassau

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Jennifer Grey, Will Sharpe, Daniel Oreskes, Liza Sadovy, Kurt Egyiawan, Ellora Torchia 

Mismatched cousins reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother, but their old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.

One wonders as he writes, directs, and stars in the film. If Jesse Eisenberg wrote this film specifically for Kieran Culkin and his talents or just a dynamic role and character that culminated easily fits. As he has played versions of this type before. Only here he has softer edges to offer the character. He still is good at playing these types of characters and roles. His performance comes off more natural not clearly scripted and more off of instinct. 

As it gives Eisenberg a perfect partner to bounce off of and play the exact opposite of. Eisenberg’s character is his usual nerdish, nebbish, and afraid of life. Overly polite and settled down with a wife and child. So he is responsible. who resents but is amazed by his cousin. Who is charming, resourceful, and troubled.

This trip is catching up for both of them. Not to mention an adventure. To honor their grandmother. 

As it goes along you wonder exactly what is going on. As the film and main character grow more Intense you wonder exactly what she is after and hoping to achieve. As it comes off more an intellectual’s adventure. Which is pleasant but always seems At odds. Even when there is no reason for there to be 

So that the film constantly ends up and feels like a mystery. That sometimes gets explained but other times, lets it flow and we hope will work itself out and find closure, but we will always wonder.

One can appreciate the end. As an ending an end to this adventure for both of these characters. Where they go from here we will have to wonder or at least wait and see. As it’s not clearly defined. 

Though have to admit for such a short film, it feels like it drags a lot of time and is a bit like the whimsical indie films of the early 2000’s. It tries to register characters in a foreign environment that is picturesque historical and oddly Poetic filled with conversations and tries to be on the wavelength of visual Poetry. 

Though from Someone who knows how to do it but feels way too Technical Than actually passionate.

Grade: B-

SHORTCOMINGS (2023)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Randall Park 

Written By & Based On The Graphic Novel By: Adrian Tomine 

Cinematography: Santiago Gonzalez 

Editor: Robert Nassau 

Cast: Justin H. Min, Ally Maki, Sherry Cola, Randall Park, Jacob Batalon, Tavi Gevinson, Debby Ryan, Sonoya Mizuno, Timothy Simons

Follows a trio of young, Bay Area urbanites–Ben Tanaka, Miko Hayashi, and Alice Kim–as they navigate a range of interpersonal relationships while traversing the country in search of the ideal connection.

This film is an anti-romantic comedy that is a breath of fresh air. As it is a movie after my own heart. Adapted from a graphic novel by Adrian Tomine 

The film offers a character-driven slice of life. That possesses a dry sense of humor. As it presents situations in the main character’s life. So that it feels more like a hangout movie. As we explore the character’s world, more witness his relationships.

How he complains and believes himself to be the victim always. Closing himself off from others and feelings in general. How he becomes his own worst enemy and slowly alienates others. Who actually wants to like him.

That ends up becoming a story of a kind of redemption or how a jerk finally wakes up to himself and his negative aura.

To give you an example of the main character imagine the worst film snob and magnify it as a personal outlook on most things. 

The film hits home as it is a reminder of sorts for one at a younger age. One would want to believe not as bad but plenty of aspects are personality. Though he is more successful relationship-wise and has more friends around him.

The film is dark-humored like a young Asian unsuccessful Larry David. Who you don’t root for or agree with. As we watch him go through interactions and her cross over and come to a head. 

The lead character is so Insufferable. Half of the entertainment is watching him fall off his high horse constantly. Especially as he starts to build any chances of hope. Then usually sabotages himself or his partners. Wake from any kind of charm ornament attention he was giving them.

This is the type of character who usually seems to be the hero of most relationship dramedies made by twenty-somethings. Whereas the world revolves around them and everyone else has the problem, not them.

Sherry Cola almost steals the whole film. Her character is reminiscent of her character in the film JOYRIDE only with more depth and sarcasm here. 

It’s nice to see the film take on racial politics but not be all about it and offer Asian American characters’ points of view and let them be more diverse and full.

Grade: B