Jesse Eisenberg had to throw out his playbook to direct Kieran Culkin in ‘A Real Pain’

By LINDSEY BAHR
AP Film Writer

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Jesse Eisenberg had not seen “Succession” when he was writing his new film “A Real Pain,” but his sister knew from watching Roman Roy over the years that Kieran Culkin would be perfect. The film, which premieres at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday, follows two very mismatched cousins, one anxiety ridden and rule following and the other a more spontaneous spirit, on a trip to Poland. They’re reuniting to see where their late grandmother was from and also explore some Holocaust locations. Eisenberg has been wanting to set a movie in Poland for about 18 years. “A Real Pain,” which is seeking distribution at the festival, is both funny and profound.