A DIFFERENT MAN

US, 2024, 112 minutes, Colour.

Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, Adam Pearson.

Directed by Aaron Schimberg.

What makes the leading character a different man is his physical condition, neurofibromatosis, and its psychological and social repercussions. We are introduced to Edward, played by Sebastien Stan in a performance that won him the Silver Bear at the Berlin film Festival. He participates in videos which are produced to help the public understand people with different conditions. He lives alone, walks the streets with his head down, wondering what it would be like if he were just like everyone else rather than different.

Writer-director, Aaron Schimberg, he himself had a cleft palate when young and had to do with it, the repercussions after corrective surgery. And he saw the film, Wonder, with Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson with his son, played by Jacob Tremblay, has a facial condition. This inspired him to create the character of Edward, especially with the help of extraordinary facial prosthetics.

The first part of the film has Edward, lonely, meeting his next-door neighbour, a lively young woman, Ingrid (Renate Reinsve) friendly, accepting Edward, wanting to be a playwright, realising that Edward would be a good subject for a drama.

The second part of the film leads from Edwards medical treatment, special drugs, and the transformation of his face – not only to ordinary, but striking and handsome. The screenplay takes for granted his success after the change, a job, wealth, lavish apartment.

But it then becomes a focus on Ingrid’s play, her not recognising Edward who now calls himself Guy, his auditioning, wanting to play the part of Edward, using a mask aesthetic of his former face. But, then another “different man” arrives, Oswalt, played by Adam Pearson who does have the neurofibromatosis condition. British Pearson has appeared in a number of films and television productions including Aaron Schimberg’s former film, Chained to Life. He plays Oswald is a lively personality, extroverted, charming, generally unaware of his condition and appearance. Of course, he gets the part, leaving Guy rather stranded, wondering the benefits of looking like everyone else, perhaps pining for what he used to be like. And his mental condition deteriorates with disastrous consequences.

The film was billed as a black comedy and certainly that aspect is true. However, it also serves as a parable, what does it profit to gain… And the audience left to mull over Edward/guys experiences as to what is the best experience of life.

1. Tone of the title, Edward, his life and facial condition, his transformation? From different to becoming the same? Oswald as being a different man?
2. Focus on Edward, his physical condition, his head and face, the repercussions? Sebastien Stan’s performance? His transformation? Oswald and his presence, his condition, the reality of his life and his performance?
3. The New York setting, apartment blocks, film studios, hospitals, theatre world? The musical score?
4. Audience empathy with Edward? Reaction to his appearance? Reaction to his personality? Understanding his condition? People’s reaction, looking, avoiding looking? His age, his life, acceptance of his condition, non-acceptance? His participating in the videos making a plea for understanding? His collapses? At home, simple life in his apartment, walking the streets, head down, food? The encounter with Ingrid, booking, helping, visits, eating together, explaining himself?
5. The doctors, the analyses, the drugs, the experiment? The consequences for Edward, side-effects? The experience of his tearing his skin from his face, the transformation? What he might have wished for? Looking ordinary? Looking charming?
6. Ingrid, her background, cheery, wanting to write a play, friendship with Edward, helping him, the gift of the typewriter?
7. Edward has a different man with his condition? Becoming similar to many with his transformation? His expectations? Hopes, life, career, socialising, women, sexual experiences? The sketch of his work for the real estate, the colleagues, the posters, set for life? His new apartment, luxury?
8. The theatre, meeting Ingrid, her associates, her play? His wanting to be in the performance? Audition, rehearsals, his wearing the mask and becoming Edward of old? The effect on him, the relationship with Ingrid, personal, sexual, professional?
9. The appearance of Oswald, his interest, his personality, outgoing, his condition? Performing the play, full of advice, comments, for Ingrid, for Edward and his new personality and name? Audience responding to Oswald? Doing the extroverted things despite his handicaps?
10. The development of the play, Edward/Guy not able to remember his lines, Oswald taking over, Oswald and his relationship with Ingrid, Guy and his exasperation, on stage, the attack, the collapse of the equipment, his hospitalisation?
11. The therapist, his comments, Guy stabbing him, prison, the years passing, release?
12. Meeting Oswald and Ingrid again, their marriage, success, the play, the film, further work, to retire to the commune? Leaving Guy alone and his prospects?