‘I Felt Embarrassed’: Jesse Eisenberg Opens Up On Working With Kieran Culkin On A Real Pain Sets

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As a film enthusiast with a keen eye for director-actor dynamics, I must say my recent encounter with Jesse Eisenberg’s account of working with Kieran Culkin on “A Real Pain” was both enlightening and amusing. The duo’s unique approach to filmmaking, as evident in their first interaction, is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the craft.

Jesse Eisenberg candidly discusses his initial encounter with Kieran Culkin while working on their forthcoming film, A Real Pain. As director for this project, Eisenberg admitted to accidentally humiliating himself during the very first day of shooting.

During an interview with Page Six, the actor from Zombieland admitted he sometimes felt like an amateur or imposter working alongside Culkin on set. Eisenberg, who also contributed to the film’s screenplay, disclosed that they filmed Culkin in a documentary-like fashion, allowing the camera to closely follow him.

Eisenberg stated that when he instructed the actor to position himself at a specific spot before shooting, the Emmy recipient inquired, “Why should I stand over there?” The director also remembered saying, “We have an amazing shot with those statues behind you, and it’s truly stunning,” but the actor refused to comply with the mark.

On the other hand, Culkin voiced his disagreement and requested the director to focus the camera on him. Meanwhile, Eisenberg soon understood that Culkin’s approach to filming was not flawed; rather, the suggested method by Culkin proved beneficial for the movie.

Instead, let’s rephrase it like this: Contrarily, the actor-director shared an awkward encounter he had with Culkin. He admitted that following their initial meeting with the famous actor, Eisenberg experienced immediate embarrassment.

He went on to share, “I always just kind of try to consider the behavior that I can change, which is my own and I was thinking, yeah, I’m probably in the wrong here. Let’s make the movie that is going to make Kieran excel the most.”  

In the film, the actors take on the characters of cousins embarking on a journey to Poland to pay tribute to their grandmother. Initially, their bond appears strong and brotherly, but as the story unfolds, it delves into the intricate dynamics of their family relationships. Interestingly, the director shared in an earlier interview with an entertainment platform that the movie’s plot is drawn from his personal experience during a trip to Poland.

In addition to Macaulay Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg, the film will also feature Jennifer Grey, Will Sharpe, Ellora Torchia, and Liza Sadovy as the main cast members.

A Real Pain will be available to watch in theaters.

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2024-11-03 21:28