There is the thought of solitude. It weaves heavily in the introduction of A Different Man. Written and directed by Aaron Schimberg, A Different Man keeps its dramatic depths shallow. The writing is structured to make the audience feel sorry for the main character. It does well with this because of its frequent tunes of lighting of question throughout its continuity of dramatics. The writing of a man hoping for a change, and then it all goes down the opposite direction. The path of faith is set toward someone else and not in the path of its predecessor. There is lots of resentment and tension that boils inevitably and explicitly.

The film gears on Edward (played by Sebastian Stan). Edward is a struggling actor. His face has uninviting traits. The looks of it look like a retired Frankenstein on acid.  His neighbor Ingrid (played by Renate Reinsve) comes around. She is neighborly with Edward (despite his appearance). From the looks of the interiors, it is a clever portrait. Edward is depressed (due to his uninviting facial traits).

There is a sense that change can make a difference. In Edward’s situation, it is not so life changing. Edward goes through procedures to have a regular (human) face. When this starts, all bets of joy (for Edward) are off. Schimberg’s writing is a continuous rejection. What Edward has hoped for all goes wrong. There is a man named Oswald (played by Adam Pearson). Oswald is playing a role in a play, and it is based on Edward’s sad life. Edward finds himself in a mental state of agitation.

There is jealousy and curiosity in A Different Man. The play is in the direction of Ingrid. What does Ingrid see in Oswald over Edward? Why is Edward losing it? Who is more of an asset to the dramatics of the film itself? The dynamics of jealousy, love, disconnect, and the theatricals boil high in A Different Man.

It is like misery is made to be taken advantage of (through the eyes of Stan’s performance as Edward). Edward sees his procedure as a light to a new beginning. The “new beginning” just fell into the eyes and attention of somebody else. A Different Man is an envious journey that is gradual of a dark and comedic track. The situation (in the film) is not happy. A Different Man does maintain a steady mode of characterizations, however.

Edward assumes he will get attention (by getting surgery on his face). Edward continues the process. He feels this gives him the chance to get closer to Ingrid. This tactic (kind of) does, but that is until Oswald comes in. Oswald has taken the image of Edward’s life. Instead of Edward finding fame, he finds misery. Is there a new path for Edward to not feel a strong sense of rejection?

The focus of one dreading loneliness finds unique misdirection. A Different Man plays out the jealousy vibe well. With clarification, A Different Man is not accomplished realistically. It is the clever direction (of the film) which is inviting. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for A Different Man.

The subject of being included in a family takes a clever turn in this unique classic. Directed by Max and Sam Eggers, The Front Room is a dark comedy that offers unexpected gems hidden below the surface. The writing of the film has plenty of twisted humor. It leaves the audience wondering how much tolerance there is for the situation. Brandy Norwood makes her return to a one-of-a-kind dark comedy. The Front Room will leave its viewers gasping with laughs and shocks. This is by far one of the craziest and most massive achievements I have seen from the Eggers’ brothers.

The film gears on Belinda (Norwood) and Norman (played by Andrew Burnap). They are a couple waiting for the arrival of their newborn baby. Their lives as a growing family begin to get more complicated. Norman’s stepmother Solange (played by Kathryn Hunter) moves in with them. She is rude, belittling, condescending, and obnoxious. Hunter plays the role of an old naggy woman extremely well.  Solange has no filter and is machine of negative words. As Belinda is trying to tolerate Solange, their home begins to hit all sorts of plateaus due to the aggravation that Solange causes daily. She constantly talks about respect and uses that as the reason she frequently puts Belinda and Norman down. She is also a religious fanatic. With Belinda and Norman awaiting their first-born child, how much of her abuse and unexpected, dramatic episodes can they tolerate? Solange is wicked and acts like a queen witch in their home which once belonged to her.

Given the frequent and repeated terror caused by Solange, The Front Room never stops exploring what reality would be like if people were in the same situation as Belinda and Norman. The film is a cinematic jolt of dynamic adrenaline. The sense of entitlement is on full display in the ongoing disagreements throughout The Front Room. The witch goes full throttle and her persistent effort to do everything she can to make Belinda lose her mind makes The Front Room a cohesive journey of bashing heads.

Audiences will get angry at Solange. They will feel her wrath. They will also feel the frustration of Belinda as she keeps struggling to put up with the bipolar patterns of Solange. Norman feels like he cannot do much, since Solange is his stepmom. It is clear, however, that he does not like her much. It is a situation where there are two against one, but Solange is very strong with her words and quirkiness which are enough to mentally burn Belinda and Norman out. The question is how their newborn will be raised around Solange and her intense personality and weird religious notions. The writing and continuity of disturbing cycles is at a championship level in The Front Room. The question is, can everyone just get along? Find out in The Front Room. It is a cinematic gem where the comedy lies within the cycle of tolerance. Four out of four stars.