Sebastian Stan Stars In Irritating, Chaotic Drama Thriller

We’ve got all placed on figurative masks all through our lives, relying on the state of affairs we would discover ourselves in at any given level. A Totally different Man makes use of a literal masks, however the level isn’t any much less pertinent. However the movie, written and directed by Aaron Schimberg, means that pretending to be somebody you’re not is in the end a chore, and a call that can come again to hang-out you. However whereas the premise is thought-provoking, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Oscillating between being darkly humorous and thrilling, the tonal shifts and lack of feeling don’t work in its favor.

A Totally different Man Makes A Good Level, However It’s Indifferent

A Totally different Man lingers on Edward’s (Sebastian Stan) unhappy life at first. He’s a loner, his disfigured face the middle of mocking consideration and horrific glances. His condominium is in full disarray, the ceiling a black moldy mess that repeatedly leaks. The state of Edward’s condominium displays his way of thinking, as he is disinterested in participating with anybody. Till his new neighbor, Ingrid (The Worst Individual within the World’s Renate Reinsve), takes curiosity. That doesn’t final lengthy as a result of a process actually provides him a brand new face, one he believes will enable him to realize ambitions he’s solely dreamed about.

The movie ponders whether or not we might be comfortable being another person. In any case, the grass is meant to be greener on the opposite facet, proper? However Edward rapidly realizes that being “Man” makes his life all of the extra difficult as a result of he leads with dishonesty. How can he be himself when he’s pretending to be somebody he’s not? In a twist, Adam Pearson’s Oswald, who can be facially disfigured, is main a full life with mates and actions and love. Edward is jealous and offended as a result of he appears like he’s being booted from the life he thought he would lead — in addition to the play Ingrid writes that’s primarily based on him.

On the floor, Schimberg’s movie may be insightful. The story doesn’t linger in what may have simply turn into a sorrowful affair. Its darkish humor retains the momentum going, and it accommodates a few stunning and attention-grabbing turns that blend issues up, so we’re by no means fairly certain the place the story is actually headed. However there’s additionally a way of detachment, a psychological thriller that doesn’t totally discover Edward’s interiority. It results in a conclusion that’s hole, maybe as a result of Edward himself appears devoid of any real emotion. Typically, he appears like an thought, a canvas the movie can paint on.

The Movie Prioritizes Plot Over Character

On this occasion, it is the plot over character that drives the movie to its ending, and it’s tough to reconcile what the movie desires to be with what it really is. A Totally different Man may be fairly messy at occasions, and it turns into tedious to observe after a sure level. However the lack of emotion is on the coronary heart of its issues. I understood the message, however I by no means cared sufficient about Edward to be invested in his life or its consequence. Stan does what he can, however even his efficiency comes off as emotionally distant and stilted.

The movie’s level is an effective one, but it surely doesn’t deliver sufficient sincerity or feeling to the desk for us to latch onto. It may get more and more ridiculous and, although it’s additionally daring every so often, the story wanted some sharpening, particularly because it deviates from being a thriller, its rating being the factor most devoted to reminding us it’s. And whereas A Totally different Man makes an attempt to be a thought-provoking work a number of the time, it’s not as deep or as profound because it goals to be.