A semiotic analysis of the film poster. Polish history, trauma, humour and the search for identity. What is the movie A Real Pain about?
A Real Pain (the Polish title ‘Prawdziwy ból’) is a film set for release this autumn, produced by Searchlight Pictures. It is directed and co-written by Jesse Eisenberg, who also stars alongside Kieran Culkin. The film tells the story of two cousins who decide to travel to Poland. They embark on this journey after the death of their grandparents to reconnect with their roots. On the spot, they clash with a reality that is new to them. Additionally, they confront the painful past of their Jewish history, leading them on a personal and emotional journey filled with comedic and dramatic touches.
In the background of the poster, we can see Warsaw’s Old Town and St John’s Archcathedral. These landmarks are strongly symbolic and evoke connotations related to Poland’s history. Particularly in the context of wartime destruction and reconstruction after World War II. Poland thus becomes not only a site of events in the film. It also serves as a symbol that resonates with themes of mourning, identity, and the search for roots.
Denotative analysis
Denotatively, the poster depicts two men (Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin) against a bright sky with clouds and a section of Warsaw’s Old Town with St John’s Archcathedral visible. The title ‘A Real Pain’ is written in large red letters that catch the eye and suggest the seriousness of the film’s subject matter. Above the title are quotes from reviews that indicate the film’s positive reception by critics. The colours of the poster are subdued, which emphasises the melancholic mood.
Connotative analysis. In search of answer: what is the movie A Real Pain about?
Connotatively, the poster conveys an atmosphere of nostalgia and introspection. The two protagonists look upwards, which may symbolise their search for meaning, as well as a reference to the spiritual dimension of the journey they are experiencing. Their gazes are serious, indicating the emotional burden of their trip to Poland, a country associated with the difficult history of their ancestors. The background with Warsaw’s Old Town also connotes destruction and rebuilding – processes that can symbolise both the characters’ personal experiences and the rebirth of their identity.
The title ‘A Real Pain’ suggests an experience of pain that is authentic and deep, one that can relate to both personal grief and wider, collective historical memory. The colour red in the title evokes blood, intense emotion and dramatic events. Reviews on the poster, describing the duo of protagonists as a ‘comedic couple’, suggest that despite the difficult subject matter, the film contains humorous elements to ease the emotional weight of the narrative.
In the Polish context, the film refers to historical difficulties, while at the same time showing contemporary Poland as a place of remembrance but also rebirth.
Commutation test
The commutation test involves swapping certain elements of the poster to see how the change affects the reception and meaning of the message. Thus, for example, changing the background from Warsaw’s Old Town to a neutral location (e.g. a park) could reduce the historical and geographical context of the poster and thus weaken the symbolic meaning related to Polish history and war trauma.
Replacing ‘A Real Pain’ with a less emotional title like ‘The Journey’ dilutes the drama of the message. It fails to convey the deep, authentic pain that the film aims to address. Finally, changing the dominant colours from pastel and muted to brighter colours would give the poster a more comedic tone, which could suggest that the film is a light comedy instead of a drama with elements of humour. The commutation test shows that changing any of these elements would affect the interpretation of the poster, weakening or modifying the message about the film as a work balancing humour and serious drama.
What is the movie A Real Pain about? Myth analysis
Following Roland Barthes’ theory of myths, the poster A Real Pain refers to the myth of the journey back to the roots. This narrative is familiar in Western culture, where characters undertake a journey to find their identity. Ultimately, it serves to help them understand their past. In this case, Poland as a place of action becomes a mythical location. Because, it contains meanings related to cultural heritage, historical pain, and rebirth. The characters experience a symbolic pilgrimage that highlights the universal human need to discover one’s past. It also encourages them to confront difficult emotions. Moreover, the contrast between the comedic aspects of the characters’ relationships and the dramatic historical background is particularly telling. This juxtaposition creates a myth. It illustrates how laughter and grief can coexist as essential elements of the fullness of the human experience.
So, what is the movie A Real Pain about? It seems to be a story about the struggle with identity, memory and ancestral heritage. Through the lens of the personal journey of two cousins, the film explores the themes of grief and trauma. It also delves into the search for one’s place in the world. The comedic elements contrast with the serious context. This contrast may suggest that the story attempts to find a balance between pain and the lightness of life. In the Polish context, the film refers to historical difficulties, while at the same time showing contemporary Poland as a place of remembrance but also rebirth.