A Different Man: Darkly Funny, Provocative, Original

A Different Man shocks, provokes, and amuses, all while telling a unique and unheard story that both entertains and challenges the viewer.

Rating: 7.4/10

Highlights

• Very funny

• Sebastian Stan is great

• Challenges viewer to reflect

Lowlights

• A bit disturbing/uncomfortable at times

• Only a single win for our protagonist 

• Ending is a bit unclear

If you're looking to watch a daring film that tackles a taboo topic head-on, A Different Man is a smart and provocative film that addresses the delicate subject of physical disfigurement with honesty and alacrity. I was struck by how funny it was -- A Different Man is a true black comedy, with irony serving as the base of the steadily funny dialogue and plot. A Different Man hits its "moral" right on the head, perhaps too much so, by giving such an extreme demonstration of how the outcomes of two uniquely similar people can differ so much just based on their personality. I appreciated that unlike certain other recent films, A Different Man didn't try to tackle too many themes at once. It was focused in its scope and didn't overwhelm the viewer with a plethoric cast or overambitious themes. Viewers were forced to confront their own attitudes towards the appearances of strangers and reflect on how much of one's life is really left up to fate, successfully effectuating an impact on viewers. Don't expect a happy ending from this film, though as it proceeds, it becomes increasingly ridiculous in its accumulation of misfortune for our protagonist. A Different Man really is different, and it deserves its flowers for its bold approach to confronting society's approach to those who are different. 

Liked A Different Man? Watch Chained for Life, Aaron Schimberg's other film, also starring Adam Pearson and using theater as a vehicle to explore themes of vanity and appearance.

Watch the trailer!