“A Different Man."

“A Different Man” (2024, Max) psychological dark comedy film, follows Edward, an actor with neurofibromatosis who undergoes an experimental procedure to change his face, only for his new life to make past insecurities and new issues apparent. In a supporting role as Oswald is Adam Pearson, who has neurofibromatosis for real. The genetic disorder causes tumors to grow on nerves, in the skin, and in other parts of the body. It's a progressive condition that affects the nervous system and can cause developmental abnormalities and learning disabilities.

       The movie, Aaron Schimberg’s third indie feature, reminds me of David Lynch’s “The Elephant Man” (1980), loosely based on Joseph Merrick, a severely deformed man who lived in London in the late 19th century. John Hurt portrayed Mr Merrick. Also 1985’s “Mask,” directed by Peter Bogdanovich. Eric Stoltz was Roy L. "Rocky" Dennis, a boy who had craniodiaphyseal dysplasia, an extremely rare genetic disorder known commonly as lionitis due to the disfiguring cranial enlargements that it causes.

       Both movies are exemplary, with several awards and nominations. As did “A Different Man,” although it is less engaging than the two previous. I am not saying the latter isn’t good, it is. Especially the b-movie styled writing and the acting of the three lead characters. However, if you’ve already seen “The Elephant Man” and “Mask,” this new similar story seems anticlimactic although the three navigated dissimilar plot points somehow. Anyhow, Sebastian Stan delivered a fine performance as the warmly confused Edward. His delivery already won him a Golden Globe this year. 

       Another reason why I saw this movie is Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve (as Ingrid). She was in the legal thriller series “Presumed Innocent,” albeit in a support role. Her breakout is the critically acclaimed drama “The Worst Person in the World” (2021), for which she won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress and a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. I hope to see her more. 🎥💻📽