There comes a point for all of us in adulthood, where we begin to question a great deal about the universe. In that, we start to ponder upon life, and its meaning and why we are here, and why we suffer and endure. Because for the majority of our youth, we are invincible and everything seems to last forever and it is shocking to learn otherwise and gives us great pause, and this is usually brought forth… via death. For there also comes a point where we begin to lose the people we love in this life and seeing them just… disappear from our orbit is jarring and shocking and it really does put us on quite an unpredictable path emotionally, as grief takes hold.
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But in the midst of those tears and those emotions, are those thoughts, and they are important to embrace and focus upon regardless of how they make us feel, of how much they confuse us and how much they outright scare us. Because that exploration, is what teaches us the meaning of life, and well… we don’t talk about the gravity of that process and what it looks like all that often or in popular media for that matter. We find grief should be the focus, but we should look at it all, because there is so much to learn from one another and our unique experiences when we work to discover the meaning of our existence, and it just so happens… that a new film from writer/director/actor Jesse Eisenberg ponders upon such matters.

A feat that A Real Pain accomplishes, by introducing us to a pair of cousins named, David and Benji, who are vastly different individuals that are embarking on quite the emotional quest when we meet them here. In that, their grandmother, who they adored, has recently passed and in order to honor her and her memory they are headed to Poland. To learn about her life, and the trials and tribulations she endured in escaping Poland at the start of the Holocaust. To give them both perspective in this powerfully emotional time, and well, this is THAT journey. That journey of discovery where David and Benji will not only examine a life that influenced them greatly but ponder upon their own journeys and what will bring them great meaning as they forge ahead. 

Which really is, the perfect way to explore that grandiose quest of how we find the meaning of life through death. Since this story plunges us square into the middle of that process, wherein we can see it play out in real time, and it does so, in a supremely raw manner. Which immerses us into the film immediately, since we are, have been or will be this duo. Stuck in that state of pain and worry and confusion that accompanies the end of a loved one and eager to find meaning in it all, and that in turn… allows for the film to break down that discovery process in stunning detail. In part by watching this duo think upon the life their grandmother lived and ponder deeply upon how much they never got to see. Which is a big part of the process. Since it truly opens up our eyes to what we are desperate to learn.
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Which is… what is the point of it all? Why do we suffer? Why do we hurt and lose so much? And thankfully this story explores in detail, that we do so because we can. Because we are a privileged species that can ponder upon so much and feel so much, but when we do focus upon this, and choose to… we can find so much beauty in the bittersweet nature of our existence and come to understand that meaning of life, is the moment. For they are precious, magical and teach us so much and that is why we cherish them and the memories of them. Because they are what makes life worth living and they are what give us strength and everything we need, and that is why we grieve. Because we know we cannot make more moments with a particular person, and that is why, we must live life to the fullest and create moments and do new things… as our path allows us.

But we all live in those moments, and we create such wonder within them and all of that is explored in a subtle and magnificent way, courtesy of an amazing script and amazing direction and amazing acting. Since Kieran Culkin (Benji) and Jesse Eisenberg (David) are simply electric on screen and sell the reality of this experience and its impact upon us, and all of these elements come forth to give us a powerful motion picture. One that is thoughtful, moving, and genuinely deep, and explores the human condition in a refreshing manner that few films do. Because it dares to ask some tough questions about how we find meaning and strength and that makes this a must-see feature. For this is that rare film that truly offers direction and catharsis for questions that have plagued mankind for ages.

​Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, “’Tis the Season to Be Irish”.
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The vast majority of us out there in the world, uncover how to attain fulfillment pretty early on in life. Something we can attribute primarily to our upbringing. For so many of us can think upon direction we received from our parents regarding what lie ahead and how to get there, and perhaps a good sit-down chat with one of them… where they really wanted to know our plans for the future and what made us happy so we could properly pursue it. Which in turn really helped us to find our true north and get it and belong and settle into a place where we find joy and contentment, and that sense of fulfillment, and where we find time to reflect upon the wonder… of those chats and what they did for us.  

But not everyone gets that wondrous discussion, and sometimes their family life teaches them something different. Wherein they step into adulthood in a more aloof manner. Where the moment matters more and where peace is a little harder to come by, as is purpose and a sense of direction or belonging. Which for some is fine. They’ll find value in just moving about and enjoying the day as it comes. But others… others will struggle badly with this. To the point where they begin to wonder what they are missing in life, and how to find it, and that does beg a hug question. How do people find that sense of fulfillment when they spend a lifetime rarely thinking of that concept? Well, it just so happens, that a new film from Hallmark ponders upon that very question.  

A feat that ‘Tis the Season to Be Irish accomplishes by introducing us to Rose Walsh. A real estate investor that truly lives in the moment. Courtesy of her upbringing and circumstances and she truly does seem to enjoy this life. Since she often gets to live in new places as she invests in property before flipping it, and well… she’s done so well with her work that she’s ready for a new challenge. Specifically, a lovely cottage she’s discovered in her mother’s hometown in Ireland, which she is quick to purchase. But soon, buyer’s remorse settles in. Simply because the cottage is a mess and will require a stunning investment, and to complicate matters further… being in the very place where her mother grew up informs Rose, that maybe there is more to life than being a modern-day nomad, adding a new complication to the life she so loves.

Which is… the perfect way to explore the core concept of this story. Because Rose is indeed, that person who isn’t necessarily lost in the world, but moves to the beat of a different drum. Since she is all about living in the moment and not worrying about where tomorrow takes her. But she definitely isn’t aware that there can be more and well… that realization allows for a stunning exploration of that answer to come into play. One that informs us that what gives us that sense of purpose and direction, and fulfillment, is connection. Connection to a dream, connection to a community and family ties, because that helps us to realize that we are more than the sum of ourselves, but something greater. A place where we can create memories with others and enrich more lives by showcasing who we are. Which of course, the story explores through her actions.  
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Since she makes friends in that hometown, she learns about her mother and her family’s history and yes. She finds love. Because that is a Hallmark staple, but it also provides its own special value. Since that too speaks to the power of connection, the power of love and how that too changes us and transforms us to want to shoot for something different. Which leads to a cerebral story for certain, one that does provide some measure of guidance to those who are in Rose’s shoes. Because there are folks who think they have what they want… but feel the call for something more. Feel as though they’re missing something, and it should be noted, that this story makes a point to not insult those who find happiness in not going this route.

For the story also explores how people who believe in the moment and a life that takes them where the wind goes, find a different kind of connection. One that relates to fate, one that relates to the thrill of just seeing where life takes us, and that both paths, are fine paths. All of which makes, for another Hallmark feature that is decidedly different from the norms. Since it ponders upon the crises we reach in life when we feel the call for more and how finding what we want, and need requires some work and some time and that it is okay if we don’t find it in the traditional manner. For life does indeed take us on some wild twists and turns on our way to finding exactly what we want in life. Be it the moment or the connections we seek.