JEANNE’S REVIEW

Writer/director Aaron Schimberg’s third film, A DIFFERENT MAN, centers around a New York actor named Edward (Sebastian Stan) who suffers from a condition known as neurofibromatosis, which significantly altered his facial appearance. He enters into a medical study hoping that it will change how he looks --- and now he must deal with his new persona.

Edward lives in a small apartment in an old building in New York City. It’s dark and grungy --- and with a disgusting hole in the ceiling that leaks nasty water into his living room. Before he signs up for the procedure which will greatly alter his life, a young woman named Ingrid (Renate Reinsve) moves into the unit next door.

She is very kind to Edward, not reacting even slightly to his grotesque appearance. Ingrid is a writer and begins working on a play with Edward in mind. But before she can complete her efforts, Edward goes through his transformation as his face peals off layer after layer. The end result is a rather handsome face, so Edward becomes Guy --- and Guy informs everyone that Edward is dead.

Guy is initially thrilled with his new face. Women are suddenly very interested in him --- and he becomes a rock star in the world of real estate. An unexpected affair with Ingrid brings a new set of issues, especially when she’s ready to cast her play. Guy now looks like Guy --- not Edward --- but he auditions for her play anyway, offering to wear a mask, because Ingrid’s play is about the deformed Edward.

Unfortunately for Guy, another actor, Oswald (Adam Pearson, who lives with neurofibromatosis in real life), shows up at Ingrid’s audition. Now the question for Ingrid becomes do you employ a regular looking actor or one who actually fits the part? Oswald, who is extremely comfortable in his own skin, taunts Guy, who now regrets his transformative decision.

Schimberg packs a great deal into his screenplay, which is darkly amusing besides being a thriller. Not only is Edward’s change physical, but it is emotional, as well. Stan was deeply interested in this character when he first read the script. He recognized the challenges in bringing Edward/Guy to life, and he’s marvelous. With a “Twilight Zone” kind of a twist, after becoming “Guy”, Edward realizes “he’s still not who he wanted to be”.

For Reinsve, from Norway, A DIFFERENT MAN

is her first film in English. She nails the part of Ingrid --- insecure, but seductive, and at times disdainful, especially in her feelings toward Guy. The role of Oswald was written by Schimberg specifically for Pearson, whom he first saw in UNDER THE SKIN opposite Scarlett Johansson. He’s an incredibly gifted actor and exemplifies the issues of identity so profoundly showcased here by Schimberg. In fact, Schimberg has stated that “if Adam hadn’t wanted to do it with me, I never would have considered making it.”

A DIFFERENT MAN is certainly not a movie for the masses. Though fascinating, with riveting performances by Stan, Reinsve and Pearson, spectacular make-up for Edward by designer Mike Marino, and a captivating soundtrack by Umberto Smerilli, Schimberg’s latest effort may be a tad too dark for some.

Opinion: Wait for VOD