From Sundance x Chicago '24 - A Different Man
Editorial Disclaimer: Coverage of the films screening at the Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024 is limited to publishing capsule reviews at this time. This in accordance with each film's review embargo that may or may not have already been formally lifted prior to its theatrical release. As always, please send any grievances, questions, or concerns you may have to film.froth@gmail.com.
Letterboxd Summary: Aspiring actor Edward undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance. But his new dream face quickly turns into a nightmare, as he loses out on the role he was born to play and becomes obsessed with reclaiming what was lost.
Film
Be careful what you wish for – which in this case, believe it or not, includes wishing you looked like a handsome movie star. From the truly independent writer-director Aaron Schimberg comes A Different Man, a jet-black comedy crossed with a surrealist tragedy set to release later this year and be distributed by – yes, you guessed it – A24. Like so many other breakthrough films in the A24 ecosystem, A Different Man has a boldness and unconventionality that is challenging in its bleakness but refreshing in its creativity.
Edward (Sebastian Stan) has neurofibromatosis, meaning he has severe facial deformities. He’s living in a crappy, rundown New York apartment and works as an actor frequently typecast only as someone with facial differences, hired to be more of a prop than a performer. Edward not only has trouble communicating with others, but more often than not would prefer avoiding interpersonal interaction altogether – many strangers are cruel and often gawk, mock, or, at best, stare at him. He is depressed, alone, and lonely, except for the budding connection he has with his friendly but slightly odd neighbor, Ingrid (Renate Reinsve).
Edward soon undergoes an experimental facial reconstruction surgery that heeds miraculous results and completely transforms his appearance – the procedure functions as this cautionary tale's monkey's paw. He later finds out that Ingrid has written a play based on her former neighbor Edward's life, a titular lead role that is now unsuitable for the new Edward to play. Of course, this is where additional details would begin spoiling things. Let's just say that things begin to unravel upon the arrival of Oswald (Adam Pearson), a man with neurofibromatosis who might look like the old Edward but could not be more different on the inside.
Schimberg's screenplay takes its time building out Edward's world and establishing his perspective, and this table setting is crucial to better understanding the characters' setbacks and motivation. There's a dearth of thematic depth to unpack in A Different Man including ideas of identity, obsession, and performance, all of which make up a messy nest of knotty threads that need to be either strung together or untied. Though the allegorical weight of the story could have easily exhausted the audience's patience (for some it might), I thought Schimberg knew how to lighten the load and maintained control over the winking tone and methodical pacing overall. I particularly enjoyed Stan's meta-textual performance, who seems to have found a new career groove thanks to this mode of offbeat, genre-bendy storytelling.
What I appreciated most about A Different Man is its general weirdness. This isn't just a modern rendering of a Twilight Zone episode, or a patent remake of David Lynch's The Elephant Man, or off-brand homage to a Charlie Kaufman high-concept dramedy. In a world overrun by blandly algorithmic options available on streaming, A Different Man shoots it shot with unflinching frankness and uniqueness. The film wields a sharp knife, aims to cut deep and leave its mark. I found myself leaving the theater a different man than I was two hours prior.
A Different Man premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2024 and is scheduled to be released in the United States in theaters on September 20, 2024.
Froth
During Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024, it was 90+ degrees in Chicago. Which means stay inside. Which means don't walk too far. Which means keep it in the neighborhood. Which for me on Saturday meant heading to Hop Butcher for the World, an IPA-rich microbrewery situated somewhere in between the Ravenswood breweries and Lincoln Square. Saturday was not my first time having a Hop Butcher beer, but it was the first time in their taproom. After finding the last open barstool and glancing at the menu, I ordered the first thing I saw listed was was the Blazed Orange Milkshake. Let me start by saying, this one is a flagship for a reason. This was a deliciously refreshing with a great foamy head and smooth flavor profile. I knew that Hop Butcher was the perfect place to hangout at halftime of my double feature. I did not know that the first beer on their menu would make for thing to quench my thirst in late-June Chicago.
