This weekend sees the release of a film that is an interesting variation on the “road” movies, and I’m not speaking of the beloved series that sent Bob Hope and Bing Crosby clowning and singing across the globe for nearly 20 years. Although, this film does spotlight an engaging if somewhat mismatched duo. And it can be quite funny, meshing with moments of despair and heartache. Naturally the old “fish out of water” tropes arise since neither character speaks the locale’s language, nor are they versed in the customs. In that way, there’s also an element of the old travelogues as we take in the land’s quaint beauty and “old world” charms. But “the sights” never distract us from the emotions, and the complex family relationship at the heart of A Real Pain.

At the story’s start we meet the first half of that duo, David Kaplan...