Cousins Benji (Kieran Culkin) and David (Jesse Eisenberg) are off on a tour of Poland. They are not alike. At all, but their family bond is strong. David is, well he’s like all Eisenberg’s characters, highly strung, insular, neurotic. He’s perfectly cast, which isn’t a surprise seeing as he’s also directing. Benji is more relaxed, street smart, comfortable in his own skin, a little rude, emotional but struggling at the loss of their grandmother. So why Poland? Well they’re Jewish, looking to connect with their roots, specifically their grandmother’s homeland and her experiences of the Holocaust. An odd backdrop for a comedy perhaps, but it’s delightfully dark and heartfelt. David is socially awkward, but add Benji into the mix and it’ll set your teeth on edge. I guess that depends on who you identify closest with, for me that’s David. The tour group is perfectly cast too. Jennifer Grey plays Marcia, a divorced New Yorker, Eloge (Kurt Egyiawan) a convert and a lovely older couple rounding out the group lead by a scholarly Brit, James (Will Sharpe). It reminds me a bit of Sideways to start, but instead of vineyards, we start in Warsaw, where Benji’s overbearing personality wins over the group, then alienates it, before redeeming himself. His rollercoaster emotions echoing the film’s arc. Everyone is brilliant, but Culkin is fantastic. Benji is the life and soul, but clearly struggling and the environment only amps this up as his outbursts darken, making David more uncomfortable. Benji’s determined to have an experience, sticking to the tour plan… or not and although David booked the tour he’s just along for the ride. It’s brilliant to watch, but I’d have punched Benji inside 10 minutes. Eisenberg is not to be overshadowed though and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him better. He’s the anchor, but just when you think you’ve got a handle on it all, it pulls the rug. It’s a film and story with characters of real depth and it’s impossible not to fall for it… and its Chopin score. Wonderfully honest, thoughtful and funny.
8/10

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