Tropic Sprockets / A Different Man

By Ian Brockway

Director Aaron Schimberg (Chained for Life) continues his theme of the outsider with the film “A Different Man” which has the tone of a Twilight Zone episode, blended with a Woody Allen sensibility. [Showtimes and trailer at TropicCinema.com.] Although the story is somewhat farfetched and outrageous, it is anchored by its fine performances which keep it firmly in bounds without straying into incredulity.

Edward (Sebastian Stan), an actor in instructional videos, rents a small apartment in New York City. He dreams of making a name for himself, but he is somewhat content with a modest life as he has Neurofibromatosis type I, a facial disfigurement. Periodically Edward is singled out and stared at because of his striking physical condition.

One afternoon Edward is cooking and cuts his finger to the point of gushing blood. Edward’s attractive neighbor Ingrid (Renate Reinsve) happens to enter asking to borrow something. Alarmed by Edward’s injury to his finger, Ingrid gives him first aid. She is attracted to his shy unassuming manner.

Edward confesses to Ingrid his need to be taken seriously and his desire for artistic self-expression. For Ingrid, chemistry takes hold. She aspires to be a playwright. Ingrid is smitten. Looking at his face, Ingrid oddly but politely asks if she can physically remove a pimple from his face. Though not wanting to appear alarmed and critically anxious, Edward turns his head away. Ingrid then hurriedly leaves, embarrassed at being rebuffed.

The next day, Ingrid apologizes with a box of chocolates and a note and Edward gives Ingrid his first typewriter, Italian made and Valentine red.

Edward and Ingrid begin to date.

Feeling insecure, Edward goes to the Doctor who gives him some futuristic pills to normalize his facial condition, but the outcome is uncertain.

Edward’s face begins to peel in clumps with no trace of deformity underneath. He is aghast but also thrilled in delight. Now he will be considered conventionally handsome.

Edward begins to go out to bars reveling in his new popularity. He becomes real estate salesman of the month.

Then while auditioning for a play written by Ingrid about himself, he sees the charismatic and happy go lucky Englishman Oswald (Adam Pearson) who has Neurofibromatosis. Ingrid is immediately drawn to Oswald who faultlessly charming ebullient and sophisticated. Again and again, Oswald appears in Ingrid’s social circle bringing a curious blend of theatrical festivity and enthused empathy. Edward feels haunted and hunted down by this invariably cheerful man whose face is an image of Edward’s former reticent self. Edward becomes obsessive, bitter, and jealous.

Though some of the adventures feel a bit histrionic and gorily overdone, the crux of the matter underscoring both Franz Kafka and Patricia Highsmith are pitch perfect and spot on.

Adam Pearson is excellent in his role and Sebastian Stan is at his best.

This film does not show Neurofibromatosis as something ugly and hideous to be shut away but rather as a catalyst for dramatic expression in revealing what is essentially human.

Pearson who himself has Neurofibromatosis, portrays his Oswald as a prismatic, full personality. He is a worldly charmer who can also seem smarmy and manipulative. There are no one sided generalizations here. Aaron Schimberg has performed a rare action in this regard and thrillingly so.

Write Ian at [email protected]

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]