February Film Reviews Take Two: A Real Pain, September 5, Companion

After reviewing a trio of films earlier this month that I didn’t particularly care for, it was time for me to plop back down on the couch and watch three more movies in a quest to find titles worthy of my recommendation. So, how do these movies fare? Well, as Meat Loaf sang, “two out of three ain’t bad.”

A Real Pain (2024)

Searchlight Pictures, 90 minutes

A Real Pain is a comedy-drama that’s written, directed by, and stars Jesse Eisenberg. You could say that it’s Eisenberg’s movie, but that would be somewhat discounting the fact that Kieran Culkin, who stars opposite Eisenberg in one of the movie’s two main roles, delivers the more noteworthy performance.

The pair play a couple of mismatched cousins who meet up for a Jewish heritage tour in Poland in honor of their late grandmother. A Real Pain is one of those films where there are comedic moments, but it’s more of a dramatic story. A good bit of the movie is even pretty depressing as a result of the cousins’ strained relationship and the fact that they are on a Holocaust tour.

Culkin, as the more outgoing, yet clearly depressed/troubled cousin, might deliver the more award-worthy performance of the two actors, but Eisenberg is good in the film too. Overall, it’s a solid, well-put together movie. However, I did feel like A Real Pain was missing something to really set it apart and make it truly fantastic. Sure, it has quality performances and an interesting enough story, but for me, there wasn’t that one element that made it truly outstanding.

Despite this, this is a still very worthwhile film. If the premise sounds interesting to you, I think it’s well worth a watch. 

Grade: 7.5/10

September 5 (2024)

Paramount Pictures, 94 minutes

September 5 focuses on the situation at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich when members of the Israeli team were taken hostage. The movie takes the perspective of the ABC Sports crew, who were on site to cover the games, only to soon find themselves covering an entirely different sort of story.

I was somewhat familiar with the historical event that September 5 focuses on but I couldn’t entirely remember what the result of the entire hostage situation was. I think that the movie will work for audiences whether or not a particular viewer knows about what happened, as it’s an engaging, well-told story that’s presented in a fast-paced way.

September 5 is less concerned with developing particular characters than it is simply with presenting the events as they occurred. I think that, for this sort of historical film, it’s a choice that works well. The result is a film that never drags or feels slowed down by any information not relevant to the central event.

Overall, I was thoroughly engaged throughout September 5. It’s a film I’d recommend to not only those with an interest in history, but anyone who enjoys fast-paced newsroom dramas.

Grade: 8/10

Companion (2025)

Warner Bros. Pictures, 97 minutes

I’m typically a fan of the sort of black comedy-horror/thriller films that Companion falls into the genre of. Movies like The Menu and Fresh from a few years ago come to mind as examples of such types of films done well. Unfortunately, despite positive reviews, Companion was a fairly big miss for me.

I won’t have any spoilers in this review, but Companion is the kind of film where those who have seen it will advise prospective movie-watchers to, “Go into the movie knowing as little as possible.” Just saying this statement sort of clues you in to the fact that something will be going on that’s not as it seems or that there will be some sort of twist to the story. Having seen the film, let me assure you, you will likely not be surprised by any of the predictable setup (that thinks it’s cleverer than it actually is).

After we do get into the bulk of the film, the movie is one that concerns itself with being cool and quirky more than being at all interesting. Sophie Thatcher plays our protagonist, Iris, and I don’t really think she’s right for the role. It’s a tough part to play and I think if someone else had been cast, then maybe the film would’ve worked better. Jack Quaid, who seems to be popping up in a lot of movies lately, plays opposite her, and I think he’s equally not great. I liked Quaid on the first season of The Boys, but he seems to know how to play only one type of character. He can be fairly annoying after a while.

I don’t think Companion is an awful movie – it’s just not a very good one. It’s watchable. It’s not too long. It’s simply below average.

Grade: 4.5/10