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In many ways, our face is our presentation card. Is the first thing most people see of us, and obviously, it's what most people will be looking at during any interaction. But what if we perceive that "presentation card" to be "damaged"? What does it do to our interactions with people and our self-esteem? How do we see ourselves as a person? Do we perceive ourselves as "damaged" as well? Those are some of the questions brought up by this psychological drama about "damaged" faces and "damaged" perceptions of ourselves.
A Different Man follows Edward (Sebastian Stan), a C-level struggling actor who suffers from a severe case of facial neurofibromatosis. This not only limits his acting opportunities, but also makes him struggle with his social interactions with co-workers, neighbors, and potential love interests. When the opportunity of an experimental procedure that might heal him comes up, he takes it thinking it will change his life. However, Edward will soon realize that his perception of himself goes beyond what his face looks like; something that is made more evident when he meets Oswald (Adam Pearson), a fellow actor that suffers from the same condition.
One of the main reasons I caught up with this film was that it was nominated for an Oscar. However, I had been curious about it since its release. Maybe because of the involvement of Stan, his subsequent nomination for The Apprentice, and my curiosity to see him in something other than the MCU, but also because of Pearson, who I've been following on social media since Under the Skin. Turns out that my instincts were right, cause both Stan and Pearson deliver some really strong performances that I would even call "great".
But the film is much more than its performances. The script from director Aaron Schimberg is a really thought-provoking look at what our perception of ourselves is, and how it can change (or not) when other variables change. In addition, how the perception we have of ourselves is affected by the perception others have of us. The film does walk a fine line between drama and dark humor, and I do feel the absurdity levels get a bit out of hand in the very last act, but it still makes for a very compelling watch with two very compelling performances in the lead.
Grade:
A DIFFERENT MAN
(2024, Schimberg)
(2024, Schimberg)
"It’s kind of brilliant seeing you who looks like you, but you’re not yourself."
In many ways, our face is our presentation card. Is the first thing most people see of us, and obviously, it's what most people will be looking at during any interaction. But what if we perceive that "presentation card" to be "damaged"? What does it do to our interactions with people and our self-esteem? How do we see ourselves as a person? Do we perceive ourselves as "damaged" as well? Those are some of the questions brought up by this psychological drama about "damaged" faces and "damaged" perceptions of ourselves.
A Different Man follows Edward (Sebastian Stan), a C-level struggling actor who suffers from a severe case of facial neurofibromatosis. This not only limits his acting opportunities, but also makes him struggle with his social interactions with co-workers, neighbors, and potential love interests. When the opportunity of an experimental procedure that might heal him comes up, he takes it thinking it will change his life. However, Edward will soon realize that his perception of himself goes beyond what his face looks like; something that is made more evident when he meets Oswald (Adam Pearson), a fellow actor that suffers from the same condition.
One of the main reasons I caught up with this film was that it was nominated for an Oscar. However, I had been curious about it since its release. Maybe because of the involvement of Stan, his subsequent nomination for The Apprentice, and my curiosity to see him in something other than the MCU, but also because of Pearson, who I've been following on social media since Under the Skin. Turns out that my instincts were right, cause both Stan and Pearson deliver some really strong performances that I would even call "great".
But the film is much more than its performances. The script from director Aaron Schimberg is a really thought-provoking look at what our perception of ourselves is, and how it can change (or not) when other variables change. In addition, how the perception we have of ourselves is affected by the perception others have of us. The film does walk a fine line between drama and dark humor, and I do feel the absurdity levels get a bit out of hand in the very last act, but it still makes for a very compelling watch with two very compelling performances in the lead.
Grade: