A Real Pain is a poignant 2024 buddy road comedy-drama directed by Jesse Eisenberg. The film follows two Jewish American cousins on a journey through Poland to honor their late grandmother.
It explores themes of heritage, family dynamics, and personal growth. Accompanying the emotional narrative is a meticulously curated soundtrack that heavily features the timeless works of Frédéric Chopin.
A Real Pain Ost
The score for A Real Pain is almost entirely composed of piano pieces written by the Polish virtuoso Frédéric Chopin and performed by Israeli-Canadian classical pianist Tzvi Erez. Among the featured compositions are Chopin’s ballades, études, nocturnes, preludes, and waltzes. This classical selection perfectly complements the film’s exploration of cultural and emotional depth, adding layers of meaning to its storytelling.
Tracklist: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
- Nocturne No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2
- 24 Preludes, Op. 28 No. 19 in E-Flat Major: Vivace
- Nocturne No. 12 in G Major, Op. 37, No. 2
- Nocturne No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9, No. 1
- Hotel 1 (Written and performed by omniscuro)
- Hotel 2 (Written and performed by omniscuro)
- 12 Etudes, Op. 10: No. 1 in C Major
- Nocturne No. 3 in B Major, Op. 9, No. 3
- Waltz No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 18, ‘Valse Brillante’
- 12 Etudes, Op. 25: No. 3 in F Major
- Dreams (Written and performed by Benjamin Tissot)
- Nocturne No. 4 in F Major, Op. 15, No. 1
- Waltz No. 6 in D Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 1, ‘Minute’
- 12 Etudes, Op. 10: No. 3 in E Major ‘Tristesse’
- Hava Nagila (Performed by Krzysztof Jaszczak)
- Tea for Two (Performed by Erick Eiser)
- Tesko (Performed by Julia Marcell)
- Brokat (Performed by Furia Futrzaków)
- Nocturne No. 15 in F Minor, Op. 55, No. 1
- Nocturne No. 5 in F-Sharp Major, Op. 15, No. 2
- 12 Etudes, Op. 25: No. 1 in A-Flat Major ‘Harp Study’
- Ballade No. 2 in F Major, Op. 38
- My Conversation (Performed by Pachyman and Silas Short)
- 12 Etudes, Op. 10: No. 4 in C-Sharp Minor
Highlight
Chopin’s Timeless Influence Frédéric Chopin’s compositions are the soul of A Real Pain, bringing an authentic connection to the film’s Polish roots. Pieces like “Nocturne No. 2 in E-Flat Major” and “Ballade No. 2 in F Major” accentuate key moments in the film, reflecting the characters’ emotional states and their evolving relationship.
Availability: The soundtrack is available on Spotify
About the Film
A Real Pain tells the story of David and Benji, two cousins navigating their personal differences while connecting with their shared heritage in Poland. Featuring standout performances from Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin, the film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and received critical acclaim for its heartfelt screenplay and powerful themes. It is considered one of the top films of 2024 and a cinematic exploration of family, identity, and resilience.