Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin play close cousins who are far apart in their personalities. Actually, both actors don’t stray far from their usual type. Eisenberg continues the hesitant neurotic that he embodies so well, while Culkin is ramping up his performance from Succession to be even more obnoxious and not as funny. Their continual conflicts are what drive the film, although there is a narrative: They’re visiting Poland to honor their dead grandmother. This allows writer/director Eisenberg to host a mini-tour of the country and introduce issues like family tensions and generational trauma. Even with Culkin’s extreme behavior, the film manages to have moments of tenderness. While much of it tries to be funny, the comedy is more of the cringe variety, something Eisenberg is comfortable with. This is basically a buddy road movie with verbal sparring, continual mild conflict and a little bit of heart. Interesting note: The boy who plays Eisenberg’s son on the phone is his real son. 
(3 / 5)
