Dir: Aaron Schimberg | Cast: Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, Adam Pearson | US Drama 112′
Looks aren’t everything. A man who blames his lack of success on his appearance soon finds out that his problems are more than skin deep in this persuasive portrait of identity and self-loathing.
This incisive and intelligent third feature for US writer director Aaron Schimberg won him a Silver Bear at Berlinale 2024. Fresh from his role as Donald Trump Sebastian Stan gives a nuanced turn as budding actor Edward who suffers from neurofibromatosis (on screen and in real life). Alongside him is The Worst Person In the World’s Renate Reinsve
In New York Edward (Stan in prosthetics) is absolutely miserable and we really feel for him, struggling alone to carve a career as an actor in lowkey instructional videos about physical deformity. Neighbour Ingrid (Reinsve), a writer, is his saving grace. But their relationship is only platonic prompting Edward to go for experimental surgery to cure his condition
There would be no point in this film if everything was fine and dandy. but it’s safe to say Edward soon becomes the man of his dreams in the shape of Guy, although his emotional reality is quite different. ‘Be careful what you wish for’ as the saying goes. But Guy seems chipper at first enjoying his transformation and informing all and sundry that his former self committed suicide.
Discovering later that Ingrid has written a play about her friend Edward, he decides to audition for the part only to find out that he has a competitor in the shape of Oswald (Pearson, who really has neurofibromatosis), and he becomes fascinated.
Schimberg covered similar territory with his 2019 comedy Chained For Life which also also starred Pearson. He explores his subject with integrity and humour never looking for easy answers or preconceived ideas. But like many physical conditions, how can anyone really know how it feels unless they are directly affected.
Reinsve is once again effervescent as a woman who is so wrapped up in her own work she fails to really engage with Edward on anything but a superficial level, appearing not even to acknowledge his deformity, until a surprising turn of events in the third act.
Oswald is an ebullient self-possessed character who gives us much food for thought as Guy reflects on his own personality and how it held him back despite his deformity. Stan on again shines as he takes on two roles with consummate ease and aplomb. @MeredithTaylor
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