One ofA Real Pain’smost important characters doesn’t actually appear in the film.
Having grown up close, the pair have increasingly become distant in recent years.
A Real Painis a frequently funny and consistently affecting film, with real pathos and great performances.
However, there are never any flashbacks to Dory.
Instead,Dory remains entirely a memory within the context of the film.
Audiences see her through their memories, allowing the film to remain focused on their arcs.
Instead, she remains a force on Benji and David that continues to influence them far beyond her death.
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.
