Most years, Jessie Eisenberg’s performance inA Real Painwould have him in the award season conversation more alongside his co-star Kieran Culkin — but a second Academy Award nomination for Best Actor might be out of reach this year. Eisenberg has become an interesting figure in Hollywood. Having already earnedan Oscar nomination in 2010 forThe Social Networkand delivering a mix of performances over the years, Eisenberg has found massive success withA Real Pain.
Eisenberg directed, wrote, and starred in the dramedy, withA Real Pain’s main charactersbeing an estranged pair of cousins embarking on a trip to Poland together in honor of their recently deceased grandmother. The film is critically acclaimed and has earned a number of award nominations, especially for Eisenberg’s screenplay and Culkin’s supporting performance. In other years, Eisenberg would be right there in the conversation for Best Actor, alongside him. However, that’s increasingly looking unlikely.
Jessie Eisenberg Delivers An Oscar-Worthy Performance In A Real Pain
Jessie Eisenberg Does A Great Job As Joe
Jessie Eisenberg delivers a terrific performance inA Real Painthat would normally short-list him for an Academy Award — but tough competition in the Best Actor category and a lack of nominations from the SAG Awards and BAFTAs makes him a long-shot for a nomination. Eisenberg plays Joe with a rigid stability, a deliberate contrast to the more energetic and excitable Benji. He’s a quietly stable man who has been shaken by recent events, who can’t escape his embarrassment and muted surprise at the hijinx and mood swings of his cousin.
A Real Pain Ending Explained: Where Benji & David’s Relationship Stands
Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin’s critically acclaimed and thought-provoking 2024 movie A Real Pain ends on a largely ambiguous note.
The notable trick is that Eisenberg gets the chance to play the character for laughs and dramatics in equal measure, creating a well-rounded character. Eisenberg’s best scenes in the film, like his dinner confessional about his truly mixed feelings about Benji, are among the best-acted character beats from a film all year. Having also written the script,Eisenberg knows Joe inside out. The actor has received some award recognition for the performance, such as a Golden Globe nomination for his performance. In most years, that would push help Eisenberg have a good chance at earning an Oscar nomination.
Tough Competition Makes An Acting Nomination A Longshot For Eisenberg
A Real PainHas A Lot Of Potential Competition For An Oscar Nomination
The problem for Eisenberg this Oscar season is that he’s facing a particularly stiff competition going into the 97th Academy Awards. Certain actors have been gaining momentum this award season thanks to a number of nominations for their performances. Adrien Brody, Timothée Chalamet, Daniel Craig, Colman Domingo, Ralph Fiennes, and Sebastian Stan have been acquiring more momentum. Victories for Brody and Stan at the Golden Globes have made them front-runners in the category, while Domingo, Craig, and Fiennes are beloved figures who have yet to earn an Academy Award.
Potential Contenders For Best Actor Nominations At The 97th Academy Awards
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Their films are also flashier or larger than the character-focused and understatedA Real Pain. Eisenberg delivers a great performance bolstered by good writing, but he’s not pondering the value of faith in front of the Cardinals, finding passion within the confines of prison, or playing a rock icon. Even as a potential dark horse contender, Eisenberg has to look out for other competition, like Hugh Grant’s unsettling performance inHeretic.
A Real Pain Could Still Earn Jessie Eisenberg An Oscar Nomination
Eisenberg Is Still A Frontrunner For Best Original Screenplay
While it’s not out of the realm of possibility, the odds are stacked against Eisenberg to get a Best Actor nomination, which is a shame given how strong the performance is. However, he still has a good chance to earn a spot among the nominees for the 97th Academy Awards. Beyond just starring in it, Eisenberg directed and wroteA Real Pain. Similar to his situation in the acting category, strong competition might keep him outside the nominations for Best Director, but Eisenberg’s script forA Real Painis one of the most acclaimed screenplays of the year.
While Eisenberg has gotten a few nominations for Best Actor,he’s earned far more award attention for the screenplay.A Real Painwill still face some strong competition if it does earn a nomination in that category, with films likeAnora,Conclave,The Brutalist, andThe Substancealso proving competitive in the field. Eisenberg has better odds to earn a nomination forA Real Painin the writing category, but that’s not discredit a genuinely good performance in a competitive year.
A Real Pain
Cast
A Real Pain explores themes of identity and loss as two estranged families confront their shared and tumultuous pasts. Through intertwining narratives, the film delves into the complexities of familial relationships and the enduring impact of unresolved grief.
