A Different Man Might Be Overthinking Things

As a seasoned cinephile who’s seen my fair share of films that tackle the complexities of identity and human connection, I found “A Different Man” to be an intriguing addition to the genre. The film masterfully navigates the labyrinth of self-discovery, isolation, and the struggle for authenticity, using Adam Pearson’s captivating performance as a breath of fresh air in a narrative that can otherwise feel claustrophobic.

In the movie “A Different Man,” Adam Pearson doesn’t make an appearance until around two-thirds of the way through, and although this is intentional, I found myself yearning for his presence from the start once he did show up. Known for his debut role in “Under the Skin” alongside Scarlett Johansson, Pearson has neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that the film’s protagonist, Edward (played by Sebastian Stan), also suffers from before being cured.

The film A Different Man seems to address any potential criticism quite effectively, especially the portrayal of Edward’s passivity. Interestingly, this trait becomes a significant point of contention when Edward finds himself in an Off Broadway play, which was secretly inspired by his life, without his knowledge. Edward is often awkward and jittery, living as if expecting a blow that hasn’t yet come. He bears a resemblance to Woody Allen, though this may not be physically accurate – at the time, the character is portrayed with facial prosthetics to suggest tumors. However, spiritually, the comparison holds true. Edward’s clothing style and posture make it difficult to determine his age or cool factor, as if he grew up disconnected from the usual indicators of time or societal trends. Stan plays the character with a delicate tenderness that doesn’t lessen his prickly desperation, which is evident when an attractive aspiring playwright named Ingrid (Renate Reinsve from The Worst Person in the World) moves into the apartment next door. Edward yearns to be seen as a romantic prospect by Ingrid, but his lack of experience with physical contact and his anticipation of rejection cause him to recoil from her advances.

It’s surprising that a person who strives to blend into the background could aspire to become an actor, but when Edward auditions for roles he fails to secure, his talent becomes evident. The role he eventually lands is in a corporate video about anti-discrimination, where he calmly explains that strong reactions to unusual faces are just instinctual responses from our primitive brains. “A Different Man,” filmed in 16mm film, adds authenticity to its gritty portrayal of New York apartments and Off Broadway stages, and showcases a unique sense of the absurd. Scenes like Edward watching an ice-cream truck maneuver around an ambulance carrying away a neighbor’s body exemplify this. Schimberg, who previously directed a film reminiscent of the 1952 exploitation movie “Chained for Life,” has a keen focus on the unspoken aspects of life for individuals with distinctive appearances and how their carefulness can lead to feelings of isolation. Though Edward may no longer experience schoolyard bullying, being treated with overly cautious politeness by people who are unwilling to express their true thoughts is its own form of suffering.

It’s torment that leads Edward to undergo an experimental procedure with miraculous results that leave him looking, well, like a movie star. Stan’s gotten a lot of praise for this role, though what makes his work so compelling is his willingness to do very little in his scenes, both in and out of the prosthetics — to withdraw into Edward’s own paralyzed self-consciousness. For someone who frets about connecting with others, Edward isn’t always present himself, prone to retreating into his own head as the sound fades around him, and struggling to connect with the version of himself Ingrid writes for the stage when she believes Edward died, not realizing that the handsome actor she’s chosen for the role is actually her former neighbor. That’s one of the reasons Pearson, when he bursts onscreen as a charismatic Englishman who’d been told about the play by a casting agent, feels like such a relief. Oswald provides an easy solution to the ironic issues about authenticity that Edward finds himself facing when he starts wearing a mask to re-create his past appearance.

Oswald, being chatty, confident, and funny, serves as a contrast to Edward who, despite chances for a fresh start with a new identity, remains trapped by his insecurities. The film “A Different Man” resembles a scaled-down version of Charlie Kaufman’s work “Synecdoche, New York“, exploring similar themes of self-discovery and personal growth over time. However, Schimberg’s film maintains a more detached tone and is less autobiographical. It isn’t until Pearson appears that the film’s refreshing perspective becomes apparent, highlighting the necessity of his character to bring a breath of fresh air into the story.

2024-09-19 19:56

A Different Man Might Be Overthinking Things

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