A DIFFERENT MAN : Tuesday 12th November 2024

I got around to seeing that MA15+ Rated 'A DIFFERENT MAN' earlier this week following its release in Australia on October 24th. This American dark comedy psychological thriller film is Written and Directed by Aaron Schimberg in only his third feature film outing following 'Go Down Death' in 2013 and 'Chained for Life' in 2018. The film saw its World Premiere screening at this years Sundance Film Festival at the end of January, was released Stateside at the end of September, in the UK in early October, has so far grossed US$1.2M and has generated largely favourable reviews.

Here, Edward Lemuel (Sebastian Stan) is a struggling Actor with neurofibromatosis that manifests itself as a disfiguring facial condition. He lives in a ramshackle old apartment block with seemingly paper thin walls and floorboards and a constant dripping of black water through the ceiling in his lounge room. One day a new neighbour takes up residence, Ingrid Vold (Renate Reinsve) who is an aspiring playwright, and is working on her first theatre production although it is still early days. It doesn't take long before the pair get acquainted and Edward starts to have feelings for Ingrid, although he is way too nervous to have those feelings manifest themselves. 

He is offered a cutting edge yet still experimental medical procedure to cure him of his disfigurement which he reluctantly agrees to. Sometime later the disfiguring tumors, lumps, bumps and lesions on his face literally begin to melt away and fall off in large clumps revealing his natural healthy looking face underneath. He takes on the identity of Guy Moratz and claims to his doctor, who makes a house call to check on Edward's progress, that Edward has died suddenly by suicide, and that he is a family member who has called around to clear out Edward's apartment. This conversation is overheard by Ingrid. 

Some time later, Guy is now a successful and wealthy real estate agent. One day, he discovers that Ingrid is producing an off-Broadway play she has written called 'Edward', that is based on his life. Guy auditions and is cast in the lead role. Guy and Ingrid begin a sexual relationship soon thereafter, though Ingrid remains unaware of his real identity. During rehearsals they are visited by Oswald (Adam Pearson), a man with neurofibromatosis who has taken a keen interest in the play. The confident and charismatic Oswald quickly befriends the cast and crew, although Guy is somewhat put off by his outgoing and overly positive manner.

Ingrid and Oswald grow closer, and after Guy is unable to recite his lines, she decides to recast Oswald in the lead role. The play is a success, and Oswald's performance receives very positive reviews. Guy's mental state begins to deteriorate, and he begins stalking Oswald, is fired from his real estate job, and eventually storms the stage of the play one night to physically attack Oswald. During the on-stage scuffle, part of the set collapses on top of Guy breaking his legs and arms. While he recovers from his injuries he moves back into his former apartment next to Ingrid, who is now living with Oswald and making plans to adapt Edward into a film with movie Producer Michael Shannon. One day, after Guy's physical therapist expresses disgust for Oswald behind his back, Guy stabs him with a kitchen knife and is jailed. 

Years later, after Guy is released from prison, he comes across a billboard promoting Ingrid's most recent play. He once again encounters Oswald. He has dinner with Oswald and Ingrid at a Japanese restaurant. The pair are now very happily married and a highly successful creative duo who are planning their retirement to a commune in Canada, after Ingrid comments that she has achieved everything in life she ever really wanted - parenthood, a happy marriage and a successful career. A waiter arrives to take their orders, but a visibly nervous Guy struggles to choose from the menu. Oswald comments that he hasn't changed a bit.

'A Different Man' is part 'Beauty and the Beast', part 'The Elephant Man' and part 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' all wrapped up in a modern day story of accepting who and what we are and living with the consequences of our actions. This film has body horror, thrills, drama, emotion and laugh out loud moments courtesy of both Stan and Pearson who give their all to their respective performances. This is a thought provoking absorbing story that will leave you thinking long after the credits have rolled, with the main message left by Writer and Director Aaron Schimberg being that you can't judge a book by its cover!

'A Different Man' warrants four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-