18/28
Tale
Mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour of Poland to honor their beloved grandmother
The adventure takes a different turn when the odd couple’s old tensions resurface in the background of their family history. When Benji and David visit their grandmother’s house in Poland, the place is where Jesse Eisenberg’s real ancestors settled in the diaspora.
Saw it at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival
Benji Kaplan: This, folks, is what fucking cinema is about. Quoted in Amanda the Jedi Show: The BEST and Weirdest Movies You (Mostly) Haven’t Seen Yet | Love Lies Bleeding (2024).
Jesse Eisenberg previously made “When You Finish Saving the World,” which was interesting but sadly a bit annoying
Here, Eisenberg’s direction and writing for this film shows that he has improved greatly, as many of the characters are interesting and engaging, good dialogue, and great performances, especially from Kieran Culkin who steals the show throughout the film. The narrative explores family history and complicated bonds, as each of the themes and explorations of the topics were handled well and were fun, emotional, and engaging to watch.
There were a few soundtrack choices that felt a little off
This included some nice camerawork, a good score, and conversations that felt real, genuine, and engaging to watch. Eisenberg’s approach to chemistry, structure, and pacing was good, as he created a truly compelling and personal story about family history and the true meaning of bonds and relationships.
Check out the full lineup for the 62nd New York Film Festival this fall
But overall, Eisenberg has improved and I can’t wait to see what else he might bring today.
Leave a Reply