A Real Pain

The Rough Cut

Editor - Robert Nassau

A REAL PAIN editor Robert Nassau might be Brooklyn's secret cinematic weapon when it comes to finding an editor who knows how to cut not-too-dark dramedies. And the seems to be what writer/director/actor Jesse Eisenberg was looking for when it came time to turn over the cutting room keys to his latest project. Premiering to much fanfare at Sundance 2024, A Real Pain is now delighting critics and audiences alike in its theatrical run.

A REAL PAIN follows mismatched cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) as they reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.

Robert Nassau

Robert Nassau edited the films The Big Sick (directed by Michael Showalter), A Futile and Stupid Gesture (David Wain), Hello, My Name is Doris (Showalter), Juliet, Naked (Jesse Peretz), The Lovebirds (Showalter), Shortcomings (Randall Park), Somewhere in Queens (Ray Romano) and Wanderlust (Wain). Television series include “Children’s Hospital” (Adult Swim), “Dash and Lily”(Netflix),“The Last O.G.”(Comedy Central),“The Other Two”(Max), and“Wet Hot American Summer” (Netflix). For two summers in high school, he worked at the National Zoo. He is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design.

Editing A REAL PAIN

In our discussion with A REAL PAIN editor Robert Nassau, we talk about:

• Chopin up the score
• Not coming to a resolution with music
• Following the St. Crispin's Day rule for monologues
• Finding the line between annoying and outgoing
• Sometimes all a scene really needs is a cricket

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