Starring: Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, Adam Pearson
Directed by: Aaron Schimberg
Written by: Aaron Schimberg
One of the most impressive things an up and coming filmmaker can do is to take a simple premise, idea or theme and use their perspective to create something that feels fresh, unique and alive. With “A Different Man,” writer and director Aaron Schimberg takes the seemingly simple notion of “be careful what you wish for” and creates something wholly unique and exciting.
The film follows Edward (Sebastian Stan), a mild mannered aspiring actor who has a medical condition called neurofibromatosis leading to a facial disfigurement. After some awkward, but meaningful interactions with his playwright neighbor Ingrid (Renate Reinsve), Edward decides to undergo a radical medical treatment that would allow his disfigurement to go away, giving him the life and the confidence that he’s always wanted.
After undergoing the treatment and seeing his appearance turn around, Edward runs into Ingrid, who is casting a play about her interactions with Edward, requiring someone with a facial disfiguration to truly capture the part. Believing this is the role his was born to play, Edward goes all out to try and convince Ingrid to cast him, leaving Edward to slowly unravel at the potential missed opportunity.
Schimberg’s script is the highlight of the film, creating not only a fantastic conundrum for his main character, but to do so while turning Edward from an empathetic character into one that may be deserving of a comeuppance. It’s also a great showcase for Stan, who has never been better as Edward. His emotional vulnerability early on in the film really allows the audience to feel for Edward, as his second half turn allows the audience to play the other side, especially as he slightly descends into madness.
Schimberg’s script is also a great exploration of tone, especially when the second half of the movie really starts to twist the knife with Edward. As Ingrid auditions Edward for his dream role, a charming man named Oswald (Adam Pearson) shows up to make Ingrid completely rethink her plans. Oswald is played by Pearson, who has the neurofibromatosis that the lead role represents. Pearson is effortlessly charming and runs away with the second half of the movie as Edward sees his opportunities slowly slip away at the hands of a man who has everything he’s ever wanted, but without having to undergo any kind of transformation. This allows for some really funny moments of everyone loving Oswald except for Edward who becomes increasingly frustrated by his presence.
If there’s any issue with the film, the final act really lays on the humor and absurdity of the situation thick, which can have Edwards eventual response feeling a bit over the top. Still, Schimberg’s script, couple with great performances from Stan and Pearson have the film crackling with complex, meditative themes on vanity and happiness, all while being a hilariously funny representation of humility.