In Aaron Schimberg’s “A Different Man,” an actor with neurofibromatosis finds himself in the middle of conversations about authenticity, self-optimization adn self-perception.The leading actor Sebastian Stan, who plays Donald Trump in “The Apprentice”, received the Berlinale Leading Actor Bear for this.
It’s actually all very simple. Like problably all of your life, if you can stay away from the discursive bubbles that turn every situation into an ideological pillow fight in wich normal life is pounded until only complex fragments are left hanging around that no one can put together anymore.
The simple truth that forms the Christmas tree, so to speak, of Aaron Schimberg’s twisted comedy-drama “A Different Man” is this: “All unhappiness comes from not accepting what is.”
The phrase comes somewhere early. The very simple story, to which Schimberg attaches the strangest, funniest and most terrible speeches and genres of “A Different Man” to the point of bending all the branches of the plot, is this: Edward Lemuel (whose surname, as intellectually elegant as the film by Schimberg is as a whole – it is obviously no coincidence that Gulliver, the polymath and world traveler, is Swift’s name) would like to be an actor, but has neurofibromatosis.
As everyone is afraid of the growths on his face, so far he has only managed to get a role in an educational film that is supposed to tell employees how to properly behave with colleagues whose appearance disgusts them.
Edward cannot accept what is. schimberg knows the problem of acceptance. He shares – in a milder form, he has a cleft palate – Edward’s fate. And we have already talked about it in “Chained for Life”,where a stunning actress and an actor suffering from neurofibromatosis meet.
In “A Different Man,” Edward lives in a New York apartment that has such a perfectly aged, green-tinged ’70s style that you’re almost surprised when a cell phone appears at one point. Edward’s inner misery, his suffering and his pain are hanging from the ceiling like real mold. Sometimes things fall over and you don’t necessarily want to know exactly what it is indeed (a mouse?).
There’s no shortage of Boddyhorror tinsel
Then the screenwriter Ingrid moves next door. Edward doesn’t realize at first that Ingrid (Renate Reinsven in her first american role), the beautiful one, is a rather ruthless past vampire. She likes listening to him, but doesn’t want to kiss him.
Edward wants them and has the growths peeled off his face in a dystopian experiment. After his Woody Allen-esque opening, Schimberg also hangs horror trappings with black bodies in his tree. The beast becomes Beauty and suddenly resembles the young Donald Trump, as Edward is played by Sebastian Stan, who plays the young Trump in “The Apprentice” – he was somewhat surprisingly given the lead role at the Berlinale - Bears.
From now on edward calls himself – new life, new name – Guy, gets all the women he wants, sells luxury real estate (without the mold), but feels strangely empty. Until he passes an off-Broadway theater where Ingrid, of all people, is looking for someone to play Edward’s story in her play “Beauty and the Beast.”
“This is the story of my life,” Guy says during the casting call. He wears the mask of his deformed face, but is then surpassed – in life, in love and on stage – by Oswald. Like the star of “Chained for Life,” Adam Pearson, who plays him, actually suffers from neurofibromatosis, but he accepts it and dances, whistling more or less happily, on the darkness of his destiny. Oswald is free as Edward will never be, not even in his ordinary life as a normal white man. Because it is not society that determines the prison in which we live, but rather ourselves.“All the unhappiness comes from not accepting what Edward’s princess is.” And if they don’t…
Of course “A Different Man” is a fairy tale. It’s a dream in a can. One tends to blend into the othre, which in this case wouldn’t be a bad thing. At the bottom of every box that Schimberg opens there is another trapdoor through which Edward/Guy only falls deeper and deeper into the contemporary discourse on identity and authenticity. Who can actually play who? What really determines our identity? Is it me looking in the mirror? Can you see well only with your heart?
These are critically importent questions, and you would want to ask yourself if Aaron Schimberg wasn’t constantly stressing to you that you need to do this. And not very subtly and with the same energy he puts into constantly inventing new colors for his comics.Eventually, you’ll be as tired and full as you would be from an overdose of dominoes.
The film “A Different Man” will be in cinemas from December 5th.
How does Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of Edward enhance the film’s exploration of authenticity and self-acceptance?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Expert on “A Different Man”
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. We’re excited to discuss Aaron Schimberg’s film ”A Different Man,” which navigates some deeply complex themes surrounding authenticity and self-acceptance. To start, can you share how you interpret the film’s central message regarding acceptance?
Expert (E): Thank you for having me! At its core, “A Different Man” conveys the idea that all unhappiness stems from our inability to embrace the realities of our lives. The protagonist, Edward Lemuel, struggles with neurofibromatosis, which not only affects his physical appearance but also shapes his self-perception and interactions with others. Schimberg’s take on acceptance is a poignant reminder that our happiness often lies in recognizing and embracing who we are, rather than being fixated on societal expectations or ideals.
TNE: That’s an captivating viewpoint. The film presents edward as a character who yearns to be an actor despite his challenges. How do you think this choice of profession within the film enhances the commentary on self-perception and authenticity?
E: Choosing acting as Edward’s aspiration is incredibly symbolic. Acting is traditionally associated with change and the exploration of identities, yet Edward faces a barrier due to his appearance. This irony drives home the film’s theme of authenticity — he seeks to portray others while grappling with the difficulty of accepting himself. The industry’s superficial judgments force him to confront the societal stigma surrounding physical differences. It emphasizes that authenticity isn’t about the role we play for the outside world but about the acceptance of our true selves, flaws and all.
TNE: Sebastian Stan, who portrays Donald Trump in “The Apprentice,” takes on this complex role as Edward.What qualities do you think he brings to the character that contribute to the film’s depth?
E: Sebastian Stan’s performance is remarkable in its nuance. He embodies Edward’s vulnerability and determination. His ability to convey deep emotional struggles while maintaining a sense of humor is pivotal. Schimberg incorporates elements of twisted comedy, and Stan walks that tightrope beautifully. He invites empathy from the audience without veering into pity, which is crucial for a character like Edward, who is both tragic and relatable.
TNE: That blend of humor and tragedy is certainly a complex dynamic.The film seems to critique our cultural obsession with perfection and self-optimization. How does “A Different Man” challenge these societal norms?
E: The film cleverly subverts the notion of self-optimization by highlighting the absurdity of chasing an ideal. Edward’s journey reveals how damaging these societal pressures can be, pushing individuals to conform to unrealistic standards. Through humor and sarcasm, Schimberg critiques the discourse surrounding beauty and success, ultimately suggesting that true fulfillment comes from self-acceptance over striving for unattainable ideals. By showcasing Edward’s hardships and triumphs, it invites viewers to reconsider their perceptions of worth.
TNE: Absolutely, the film seems to resonate at many levels. As we wrap up, what do you hope audiences take away from “A Different Man”?
E: I hope audiences leave with a deeper understanding of the beauty in imperfection.The film is a reminder that accepting ourselves, with all our complexities, can lead to a more fulfilling life. It’s about finding humor in our struggles and realizing that our differences are what make us uniquely human. Embracing this perspective can be both liberating and transformative, which is the essence of Schimberg’s work.
TNE: Thank you so much for your insights. “A Different Man” certainly sounds like a thought-provoking film that encourages meaningful reflection on our own lives.
E: thank you! It was a pleasure discussing such a rich film with you. I believe it has the potential to provoke meaningful conversations about identity and acceptance.