A DIFFERENT MAN mixes the BEAUTY AND THE BEAST premise with a Charlie Kaufman-lite tale. It works thanks to Adam Pearson’s charming performance as Oswald. Pearson is an actor and public speaker with neurofibromatosis type I. It’s clear that the story utilizes his experience to inspire the film’s anti-protagonist (Edward), played by Sebastian Stan.
A DIFFERENT MAN asks some challenging questions about the true definition of beauty. Is it on the inside, outside, both, or none of the above? In the case of this movie – the answer is it doesn’t matter because Edward is so dreadfully boring. Even when he takes action, it’s far too late, and since he is an anti-progranist, he “doesn’t change a bit.”
Adam Pearson is the sole reason to see A DIFFERENT MAN. He has all the leading man charisma and charm, and I’m hopeful that despite having neurofibromatosis type I, more creators will take a chance on him.
A DIFFERENT MAN opens on January 21st, 2025.
