A Different Man

Adam Pearson’s charisma is showcased in his and director Aaron Schimberg’s latest film, A Different Man. Sebastian Stan took home both the Silver Bear for the Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival, and the Golden Globe in the comedy category for his lead role as Edward, a young actor with a facial deformity and low self-esteem.

Edward undergoes experimental treatment to fix his face, but soon realizes that his self-image is not tied to his appearance or a lack of disability. A new acquaintance, Oswald (Pearson), who bears a striking resemblance to his former self, threatens to take not only the lead role of his dreams but also the attention of the charming neighbor (Renate Reinsve) who wrote the script. While Stan’s awards have justifiably drawn attention to the film, Pearson’s nuanced performance, including his incredible karaoke scenes, holds its ground just as firmly. The dark humor and references to other films are delightfully amusing. A particularly striking scene is one that reverses many traditional transformation stories, where Edward “loses” his old face.

– Sanni Purhonen