Sebastian Stan's range is incredible! "A Different Man"
This is an absurdist thriller shot entirely on 16mm film, starring Sebastian Stan of "Thunderbolts*" and "The Apprentice," and written and directed by Aaron Schimberg, who has worked on projects exploring themes of appearance and identity.
The story is
Edward, an aspiring actor with a striking face, is drawn to his neighbor Ingrid, an aspiring playwright, but keeps his feelings bottled up. One day, he undergoes a clinical trial for a treatment that dramatically changes his appearance. Reborn as a handsome man, he begins a successful new life as a popular real estate agent. However, upon learning that Ingrid is planning to stage a play titled "Edward" based on his former self, he impulsively auditions and lands the role.
Although he begins to grow close to Ingrid, a man named Oswald, who resembles Edward's former self, appears before them...
The first half had a Kobo Abe flavor!
The flow of Sebastian Stan appearing in special effects makeup like the Elephant Man, getting close to his aspiring playwright neighbor, being reborn as a handsome man through a new drug trial, starting to live as a different person, and then beginning a relationship after auditioning for her play reminded me somewhat of Kobo Abe's "The Face of Another," where a husband approaches his wife as a stranger. However, the development where Oswald, who resembles the original protagonist, succeeds in investments, enjoys life to the fullest, and proceeds to steal the role in the play and drive the protagonist's life into chaos was quite intense.
Perhaps this is a film for Adam Pearson
Adam Pearson, who plays Oswald, has that condition in real life, so he is playing a role that seems tailor-made for him.
I understand he also starred in director Aaron Schimberg's second feature film, and I suspect he was the very inspiration for this work.
In the film, he appears as a hateful figure who steals Edward's life, but in reality, the truth is that he is simply fulfilling the role he was meant to play.
It is also quite remarkable that many other cast members with striking faces appear in the film.
Given that this film could have easily turned into a freak show depending on how it was handled, it was brilliant that it avoided that impression.
Sebastian Stan's constant transformations are amazing!
From the overweight Trump in "The Apprentice" to the muscular Bucky in the "New Avengers," and now from a man with a deformed face to a man reborn as a handsome guy, Sebastian Stan's ability to become a different person every time is incredible. I was surprised by his frail, ordinary middle-aged physique in this film, which didn't look like him at all.