Jesse Eisenberg on A Real Pain and why blockbusters can be “boring”

As a supporter of Jesse Eisenberg, I am truly inspired by his journey and dedication to exploring his roots. His curiosity and relentless pursuit of self-discovery are commendable. The way he delves deep into his family history, especially his Polish heritage, is not just a quest for identity but also a testament to the importance of understanding one’s past.

41-year-old Jesse Eisenberg is an actor, scriptwriter, and filmmaker who achieved fame by portraying Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook, in The Social Network. Currently, he has penned and directed A Real Pain, a comedy that has received Oscar buzz. In this production, Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin, known for his role in Succession, take on the roles of cousins embarking on a journey to Poland to trace their family history.

How did A Real Pain start?

Have you done a deep dive into your own Polish roots?

At the age of 17, I began spending Thursdays with my Aunt Doris, who hails from Poland. Being a third generation American, I felt somewhat detached from our historical roots, and was eager to understand more about that. So, I embarked on this exploration primarily for personal reasons: To trace my origins and discover my identity.

You also got Polish citizenship?

In Poland, my family spends more of our time than in the United States. Somehow, I find myself drawn to something in Poland that gives me a deeper sense of belonging and purpose. It seems extravagant and privileged, yet I feel compelled, to seek personal growth by acquiring citizenship from another country. Yet, being a naturally curious individual, it holds some significance for me.

Your character David is quite anxious. Were you toying with the public perception of you?

I’m more focused on the roles played by actors rather than their public images, perhaps because I dislike having to maintain a public persona as an actor myself. I prefer keeping my professional and personal identities separate, so that people don’t confuse the character I play in a movie with who I am in real life. My wife wouldn’t recognize the character David from the film as being me.

What was it like working with Kieran Culkin?

On the second day, I shared with you what I had previously confided in him. I expressed, “You know how grumpy old male directors often claim to have fallen for their young actresses? I’ve always found that a bit unsettling. But now, it seems I’m experiencing the same thing myself.” In essence, I said, “I believe I’ve fallen for you.” I reached out to my wife and confided, “I think I might be in love with this man.” He was truly remarkable.

You write plays, direct, act. What’s left to conquer?

I prefer keeping myself occupied rather than idle. The thought of failure doesn’t necessarily stem from not being in a well-received movie, but instead, it’s the feeling of spending large chunks of the year without any meaningful activity. My wife is a dedicated educator who works daily, and I aspire to maintain a similar level of productivity. If my life revolves around the arts, I would consider that an exceptional achievement.

So you have no career regrets?

“In retrospect, what I might have changed is feeling a bit more confident when I first began. I was quite nervous and uncertain. Honestly, I didn’t think I deserved the title of an actor back then, so I didn’t tell anyone about it. If only I had been a little more relaxed and not taken things so seriously.

Have you found it enjoyable being a part of large-scale productions such as “Batman v Superman”? Was the experience of working within such a massive production appealing to you?

In light of Facebook’s ongoing evolution, do you think there might be a chance for a sequel, considering your Oscar nomination for “The Social Network”?

Funny enough, I wouldn’t have imagined the first film at all. When I learned they were creating a movie based on the development of the website, I must admit my initial skepticism. However, upon reading this exceptional screenplay penned by the brilliant Aaron Sorkin, I was pleasantly surprised and intrigued.

No, I’m not! Some of the other actors are unbelievable. Dave Franco can cut a watermelon with a card! He’s just amazing. And gets better.

2024-12-23 18:38

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