A Different Man is The Substance but Better (Movie Review)

[@wynngwynn]

dude, the media literacy bar here is in hell

[@iamlinda100]

while both movies are good and deal with body image, but the main difference between both is that in 'A different man', Edward's appearance is due to a medical condition that he has. But 'The Substance' is about the pressures that society and showbiz like Hollywood puts on women to look good and young, there is this very misguided and damaging notion that's deeply ingrained in society that once women pass a certain age, they are deemed "no longer attractive or desirable". And in showbiz they constantly emphasize alot on young hot and attractive women and they are constantly sexualised and objectified. That's why the over-sexualisation and objectification of Sue was so exaggerated in the movie, it was intentional to reflect reality. While older women are often pushed out, overshadowed or just discarded as "worthless". And this is the misogyny, sexism and ageism that Elisabeth was struggling with in the movie, and many people, especially women in reality struggle with on a daily basis. Even when we are still attractive and beautiful and there's nothing wrong with our appearance and looks, many women still face ageism and misogyny and body-shaming. And for this reason, as a woman, I personally find 'The Substance' to be a better movie, because the story and Elisabeth's struggles are alot more relatable to me and to many women in the world. And as women we can empathise and sympathise with her more. It might be a bit harder for men to sympathise or understand Elisabeth's struggles or situation, because society's expectations on body image for men is not as high for men as it is for women, and men are less sexualised or objectified in showbiz. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, men absolutely can be victims of body-shaming and ageism, but not nearly as much as women are. And I know some men also sympathised with Elisabeth in 'The Substance', just like I also sympathised with Edward in 'A different man'. But like I said, I can relate to Elisabeth's story and struggles more, so I gravitate towards The Substance more.

[@BinkyLoo42]

Wonderfully put. Couldn’t agree more. “The Substance” is such a political movie, it is deeply feminist, whereas “A Different Man” was in interesting exploration of physical difference and a personal reaction to prejudice. I think, even though “The Substance” is overblown Grand Guignol campiness, it has a lot more to say for a larger section of society, and is the more effective film. Adam Pearson was a delight though.

[@joshuaalvarez1993]

You understand art w/ real meaning and the man in this KZbin video can’t. Are we surprised lol?

[@maxpayne232]

​@@BinkyLoo42Sry but that is just not true. The Substance doesn't speak to a larger section of society. It just speaks very much to the looks focused sections of society like hollywood, modeling, fame in general, etc. But that is not what most people's lifes look like. Most people don't even have a period in their life that they could consider their "glorious" prime. They just work and actually look forward to their retirement at some point. A different man had a lot more to say about how people that don't conform to beauty standards of society internalize that logic and how it eats away at their soul. Therefore when it comes to the question: Which movie is more geared towards common people ? A different man easily takes the cake.

[@maxpayne232]

First of all: It is not true that men are less sexualised and don't suffer as much from body image issues. If that was once true it is no longer true thanks to the success of Marvel movies where every movie has the obligatory shirtless scene of the lead actor. Plenty of boys watched those movies thinking: "this is what I should look like", completely unaware that the respective actors dehydrate themselves for two days for the shirtless scenes, claiming that unseasoned chicken and broccoli is the key when in reality they are taking steroids. Body dysmorphia in young men is already on the rise and will only get worse as time goes on. Although The Substance is thematically a very juicy film and taps into all kinds of themes: loneliness as you get older, longing for your prime in life, how do women age in an industry that's focused on looks. There were plenty of things in there that I as a man could relate to. It did find it to be ultimately shallower as a movie though. A different man is a more profound film in the sense that it's much more willing to dive into the complexities of physicality and the ways in which people that don't conform to society's standards of beauty internalize that logic and how it eats away at their soul. The Substance ultimately only has one very limited point of view that it hammers you over the head with for 2 hours. A point of view that also feels very dated when we live in a time where actresses like Viola Davis, Julianne Moore, Jane Fonda still have plenty of cultural capital even as they age. Ultimately being an aging star in Hollywood isn't the worst punishment in the world. And also regarding The Substance I find it deeply alarming that so many people simply focused on the" look at what this industry is doing to women" part and completely ignore the "be careful what you wish for" part of the message.

[@dillonmorris2362]

Good stuff! :D

[@ticoangelo]

not better. as good as.