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No one tell Joaquin Phoenix, but Joker: Folie à Deux is only the week’s second best psychodrama made with a pining for early 1980s New York. The actual winner of that contest is A Different Man, though you wouldn’t know it from the marketing. In the UK, Aaron Schimberg’s jagged black comedy is being released with fanfare so hushed, it may be audible only to bats. For those who do seek it out, the reward will be one of the most interesting films of the year: a singular tale of boy meets girl meets doppelgänger.
The first of the male characters is played by Adam Pearson, the actor whose genetic condition neurofibromatosis causes extensive facial tumours. (You might have seen him in Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin.) Pearson is British, but his character, Edward, is American: an actor too, though less successful. His face is the central fact of a life lived timidly in a cramped Manhattan walk-up while besotted with Ingrid, the wannabe playwright next door. (She is played by Renate Reinsve from 2022’s The Worst Person in the World.)
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The thought of a jobless actor and aspiring writer making the rent in New York feels wilfully dated: the ghost of a gamier version of the city, present too in scenes of exotic bar life and gags about Woody Allen. That stretch to reality also sets the tone for the turning point: an experimental medical process that “cures” Edward. (You can see the film as a less gory companion to last week’s feminist body horror The Substance.)
The punchline is droll. An all-new Edward now emerges, played by Marvel actor Sebastian Stan. Yet even gifted with the features of a movie star, his aims stay modest. A job in real estate beckons.
But this is not the last we see of Pearson. That much is down to a bravura flip Schimberg gives the script, keeping us off balance while questions spark from the film. Are we made or self made? Does what we see in the mirror ever really change? Ticklish ideas keep coming in a grimly funny movie that can even be weirdly uplifting in its own skewed way.
The story comes to focus on Ingrid’s debut play, drawn from Edward’s life. Cyrano de Bergerac is referenced, but in telling the tale of a disabled character, the movie is very much about itself. The surprise is how self-aware it can be without losing the attention of everyone else. Schimberg deserves credit, so too Stan and Reinsve — but it is Pearson who brings depth and delight to this peekaboo game of life and art.
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★★★★☆
In UK cinemas from October 4, and in US cinemas now
A DISCOUNT clothing chain store is set to close down despite 160 objections.
An Original Factory Shop in Ben Rhydding will close down on October 19, to make way for a controversial new development.
A drive thru coffee shop will instead be built on the corner of the A65 and Wheatley lane, after it was approved in August.
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The Original Factory Shop in Bed Rhydding will close down despite local objectionsCredit: Alamy
The move has been criticised by locals, with more than with more than 160 people writing to Bradford Council urging the plans be refused, according to The Telegraph and Argus.
A further 61 people signing a petition against the application, which was submitted by The EG Group Ltd and Burley Developments Ltd.
It is currently not known which change will be moving on to the site, however EG Group, founded by the billionaire Issa brothers, operates other sites that include Starbucks, Greggs, and Krispy Kreme.
In a post on its Facebook page this week, the Original Factory Shop, Ilkley said: “We are sorry to let you know our store will close it’s doors on 19th October 2024.
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They added: “We take this opportunity to thank all of the local community and our store colleagues for their support throughout our time here in Ilkley.”
Original Factory Shop has close to 200 stores located around the UK.
RETAILERS have been hit by soaring inflation and a downturn in spending due to the cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking their toll.
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Some high street shops have closed due to businesses opening up in different locations such as larger retail parks.
Shops may also close due to a number of other reasons, such as rising rents.
We explain which retailers are closing in 2024:
Argos – The brand announced plans to close 100 standalone UK branches last year as it looks to move away from the high street and focus on expanding its presence in supermarkets.
B&Q – The chain has over 300 shops across the UK, with two stores closing this year due to leases not being renewed. It has plans to open more in 2024 too.
Boots – The health and beauty chain announced that it would be closing 300 stores last July. Closures are ongoing and this will see the retailer’s estate reduced from 2,200 to 1,900 shops.
Clintons – Clintons mulled plans to close 38 shops in a bid to avoid insolvency late last year. We’ve listed the stores affected.
Costa Coffee – The caffeine giant has around 2,000 sites nationwide, so chances are you’ll have one near you. The chain has shut the doors to dozens of its sites recently. We’ve revealed which stores are due to close this year.
M&S – M&S, which runs 405 stores across the country, has been closing a string of branches across the country in a blow for shoppers. It’s not all bad news, though, because the chain also has big plans to open dozens of new shops.
Trespass – The firm announced in July last year that it was closing six branches, but more are on the way.
WHSmith – The retail giant, which runs over 1,100 stores, has shut eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.
Grenoble-based audio firm Arturia has won fanatical devotees and multiple awards for its software emulations of pop music’s most celebrated keyboards and synths. Thanks to its crack team of audio engineers, anyone making music with a computer can explore more than 30 of these retro soundworlds, from the lush textures of the Yamaha CS-80 (think Blade Runner or Chariots of Fire) to the chunky, pulsating sound of the Minimoog (used by Gary Numan, Kraftwerk and countless others). Arturia’s is a quest for sonic authenticity – indeed, its reconstruction of the Moog Modular synth (used on “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer) was made in collaboration with synth pioneer Bob Moog himself.
The resulting accumulation of in-house knowledge and expertise has, latterly, been channelled into making physical keyboards, and the gorgeous PolyBrute 12 – released on Arturia’s 25th birthday – is its latest and most advanced: all the character of an analogue synth with precision digital control – or, more excitingly, instinct-driven performance (you know, using your hands!). Anyone who imagines synthesisers to be cold, unresponsive beasts will be astounded; unusually, it has polyphonic aftertouch, meaning that you can change the timbre of each note, individually, by exerting pressure on that specific key. It also has a “FullTouch” mode where even lightly touching the keys – not even pressing them down – can generate sounds and effects.
This extraordinary sensitivity, combined with the PolyBrute 12’s other controllers (including a swipeable strip above the keyboard and a wooden “Morphée” pad to its left that you can tap, stroke and press), makes for a performer’s dream unit – although, speaking as a keyboardist with a background in classical piano, it requires some adjustment to technique. But that relearning process is fun, creating sounds is absorbing and you soon find yourself closing your eyes and segueing into a soundtrack to an imaginary film playing in your head, featuring (naturally) Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer and a clutch of renegade replicants.
My experience of 3D printers has not always been pleasurable: laborious set-ups, clogging nozzles and erratic bed adhesion have, in the past, caused me to utter unspeakable oaths. The Creality K1C, however, caused me no anguish at all; a few safety screws to remove, a couple of parts to attach, a quick calibration process and I was in business. The Creality Print software is a little clunky, but the results were exceptional; it can work with a range of filaments including carbon fibre, and for no errors to occur across the five prints I tried felt distinctly unusual. The fact that it’s enclosed in a box means quieter operation, and my test unit, which for some baffling reason was FC Bayern Munich-branded, looked terrific, too.
OLED pen displays are beginning to edge out their LCD predecessors, bringing with them better colour accuracy and contrast ratios – which are, after all, what artists want. This 13.3in display (effectively an additional screen for your computer or mobile, connected via USB-C) is incredibly slim and light: 4mm at its thinnest point and a nudge over 400g. It performs like a heavyweight, thanks to a vivid matte screen (that never gets hot) and Wacom’s celebrated Pro Pen 3, which is bundled in the package. There’s no special glove needed and the screen distinguishes without fail between a pen stroke, a deliberate finger swipe and a resting drawing hand. Wacom’s Cintiq range may be its flagship, but the Movink is forging its own exciting path.
Working with images, video or audio can require huge files to be moved between computers, and if that moment occurs while you’re in the creative zone, the slothful progress bar can be maddening. Wireless transfers are lethargic, USB thumb drives buckle under the strain and the cloud can be hobbled by slow uploads. These mini SSDs from Kingston are small (twice the size of a thumb drive but still eminently pocketable), capacious (500GB to 4TB, take your pick) and super speedy: in my own tests, files copied over at about 1GB per second. You’ll need to take a USB-C cable while on the move (unlike a thumb drive, it doesn’t have a USB plug) but that’s a minor inconvenience for a hugely improved workflow.
Fans of Leica’s line of compact cameras have been waiting more than five years for a follow-up to the D-Lux 7 – and here it is, with a Summilux zoom lens (equivalent to a 24-75mm focal range), a 4/3in sensor, 17 effective megapixels and an emphasis on simplicity. It combines a classic film camera layout with a nod to modern use (for example, it’s easily switchable to Instagram-friendly aspect ratios) and its portraits have that slightly 3D “Leica look”. Weighing in at under 400g, it’s easy to tote about and a delight to use; perfect for anyone (like myself) who enjoys decoupling themselves, albeit briefly, from their overbearing smartphone. Newbies will appreciate the hour of in-store training that’s offered with the unit.
CLIMBING the career ladder is tough enough but when you’re working class, it can be even harder.
According to the Government’s Social Mobility Commission, adults with working-class parents are three times as likely to be in a working-class occupation compared to people with professional parents.
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There’s help for you to climb the career ladder when you’re from a less-privileged backgroundCredit: Getty
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Kevin Sterling faced dozens of job rejections until he signed up for Making The Leap’s social mobility programmeCredit: Supplied
Despite 48 per cent of UK adults considering themselves to be working class, half of big-name firms do not actively seek out working-class talent — but for those who do, the rewards can be exceptional.
When a person works their way up to have a higher income or higher status of job than their parents, it’s known as “upward social mobility”.
According to campaign group the Sutton Trust, enhancing social mobility within UK firms to match the average Western European level could lead to a nine per cent boost in GDP, equivalent to £2,620 per person, or a total of £170billion added to the UK economy annually.
This week sees the annual SOMO Awards — known as the UK’s “social mobility Oscars” — which celebrate employers helping working-class people fulfil their career potential.
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Set up by charity Making The Leap, this year the awards cover firms employing close to 1.3million people representing 20 business sectors.
While finance, law and professional services make up almost half of entries, there has been a big rise in submissions from the creative and media sectors, plus local authority and Government.
Londoner Kevin Sterling faced dozens of job rejections until he signed up for Making The Leap’s social mobility programme.
Kevin, 23, now works as an engineer for Sky, and says: “Before taking the course, it felt like I was stuck in limbo with no end in sight, and got rejection after rejection. I was at my wits’ end.
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“With Making The Leap I took part in activities including networking and mock interviews, which really helped, and I learned how to evaluate myself.
“I’d always been focused on the future, never taking the time to reflect on how far I’ve come, what I’m lacking, and how I can turn my weaknesses into strengths.”
Tunde Banjoko, from Making The Leap, said: “By adopting social mobility initiatives, organisations demonstrate to their staff and customers that they are committed to creating an inclusive workplace while helping to unlock the full potential of talent from all walks of life in society.”
Firms including Sky, Linklaters, Nationwide, KPMG and PWC have all entered and the awards are open to organisations of all sizes.
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A Nationwide spokeswoman said: “We believe the circumstances of a person’s birth shouldn’t determine their outcomes in life. We are dedicated to equitable progression.”
Find out more at somo.uk
How to be a social mobility supportive business
THESE are Making The Leap’s tips to be a social mobility supportive business:
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Involve senior leaders: Bosses need to buy-in. It is essential they are involved in order to arrange organisation commitments, budgets and targets.
Social Mobility Networks: Work with people in your organisation who have lived experiences in social mobility and consider setting up an internal network.
Collect Data: Gather information on employees’ socio-economic background to measure diversity at work. It will highlight the potential to make a positive changes.
Have a clear purpose and strategy: This will enable you to report and measure the impact of specific initiatives such as early careers or recruitment. Add it into your DEI, ESG and CSR policies too.
Partner with external organisations and charities: To help you gain expertise and widen reach.
TIPS FOR CAREER YOU WANT
COMPETITION to secure a job is at its fiercest in three years, so how to stand out?
Here Jan Hendrik von Ahlen, from Jobleads.com, shares his tips on securing the job you want.
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Jan Hendrik von Ahlen shares his tips for securing the job you desireCredit: Supplied
Network, Network, Network: Successful networking is all about building relationships.
Reach out to people in your field with a simple message, like asking for advice or sharing something interesting. Be authentic, follow up, stay in touch and help when you can.
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Join a club: Many UK cities have networking groups and business clubs. Chamber of Commerce groups and Business Network International also host events.
These gatherings are great for building connections.
Customise Applications: Read the job description thoroughly and focus on skills and experiences that match what the employer is after.
If you have limited experience, showcase your transferable skills on your CV.
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Build a professional Online Presence: Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date with your skills, experiences, and career goals and follow industry trends.
Keep Learning: The job market is always changing, so keep your skills up to date. Take online courses and attend workshops. Showing potential employers you’re committed to growth can make you a more attractive candidate.
Stay Positive, Be Persistent: Every rejection is a step closer to the right opportunity. Keep applying, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. Persistence will pay off in the end.
FULL STEM AHEAD
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GO full steam ahead for a STEM career with a visit to New Scientist Live.
The interactive exhibition, which takes place at ExCel London on 12-13 October, features talks and demonstrations from more than 70 leading experts including Neil Lawrence, professor of machine learning at the University of Cambridge.
Also among the speakers is Ayo Sokale, who is one of the UK’s youngest chartered civil engineers.
She said: “New Scientist Live is an excellent opportunity to explore amazing STEM careers like these that often work behind the scenes to shape our world and future.”
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The event will also be streamed online. Find out more at live.newscientist.com.
OCTOBER BLUES?
FORGET the January blues, October is the month when we are ill the most.
Figures from BrightHR show while one third of all sickness occurs in the last three months of the year, it’s October when staff most frequently call in sick.
Typically, October illness rates are 122 per cent above the monthly average, with a 157 per cent spike in flu cases and 164 per cent leap in common cold cases. Mental health-related absences rise by 112 per cent, the highest of any month.
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Alan Price, chief executive at BrightHR, said: “Encouraging a culture of openness where employees feel comfortable discussing their health, and reminding employees of any support in place . . . can also make a significant difference.”
Jobspot
BLUEBIRD CARE is recruiting now for care assistants and customer care managers. Search for opportunities at bluebirdcarecareers.co.uk.
NEXT is recruiting for team managers, team member and van drivers nationally. Find out more at careers.next.co.uk/
A HOTEL in Blackpool – just off the famous promenade – offers possibly one of the cheapest rooms in Britain.
MyRoomz Seaview Hotel is right on the beachfront, offering sea views, but charges as little as £18 a night for two adults sharing a room.
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MyRoomz Seaview Hotel is one of the cheapest hotels in the country offering room rates starting from £18Credit: Google Street View
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The hotel is located near the promenade and the town’s famous theme park, Pleasure BeachCredit: Alamy
A six-minute walk to the town’s legendary Pleasure Beach Resort, the rooms come with wifi and most offer en-suite bathrooms, as well as flat-screen TVs with satellite channels.
The 2-star hotel offers necessities and it has been the subject of a few unsavoury reviews online, but its manager argues that for that price they are offering great value for money.
And unlike many other hotels in the seaside town – they are fully booked all year round.
Mark Tenfold, general manager at MyRoomz Seaview Hotel, says they keep their prices low because they don’t offer breakfast.
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He told Sun Travel: “Most of the rooms are en-suite apart from a few on the ground floor. We also have access for disabled guests, so we cater for lots of different people. And there are plenty of food options nearby.
“Guests come here for the location – we’re just off the promenade.
“There are 10 rooms in total, and we’re booked up all the time all year round.
“We get all sorts of people staying here. We have long-term guests that are struggling to pay for flats, people looking for a budget break, and people coming for business.”
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According to Mark, one of the best things the hotel offers is its sea views.
While they’re not available from every room, he said: “There are hotels nearby that are £100 a night that don’t have the views we have.”
Weston Hotel: Scarborough’s Coastal Gem
Mark added as general manager of the hotel he’s always around and ready to socialise with guests, unlike other hotels.
He said: “Just check out our reviews on Booking.com – they’re all good, just a couple of bad ones on there from people trying to get their money back.”
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Guests come here for the location – we’re just off the promenade
Mark TenfoldGeneral Manager
The reviews are a mixed bag online, but the hotel does come in for high praise from a number of happy guests.
One said: “It was a really nice stay here at the Sea View Hotel, I can’t thank Mark enough – very friendly and helpful with excellent knowledge of the area.”
Free attractions in Blackpool
The resort town is filled with fun (and free!) activities year-round, here are three of The Sun’s top picks.
Stroll along the Prom
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There’s plenty to see and do, from taking a selfie outside the Blackpool Tower to checking out the three piers where entry is free.
Visit Stanley Park
The 390-acre park is open from 9 am daily with free admission and the park’s many activities start at only £1.
Marvel at the Blackpool Illuminations
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The famous lights show costs £2.4 million to stage, the equipment is worth £10 million, and they attract more than 3.5 million visitors to the town every year. Check online to find out display times each year.
Another added: “Stayed from Friday to Monday – staff very helpful and sociable. Room was just right, clean and tidy. Will definitely be going back.”
A third said: “What a bargain, you won’t get anywhere cheaper than £20 a night! Some of the reviews would make you think they paid a lot more, don’t know why people have such high expectations – it was a great stay with lovely staff.”
But some of the other reviews were less than complimentary about their accommodation, with one person saying: “In the top floor room, you had to duck to enter the room, it was okay just to get your head down for 1 night.”
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Another said: “Comfy bed, sink in the bedroom, recently decorated (although poorly) but had a great sleep. I could pick it apart on cleanliness but that wasn’t my aim. I always check under bed to make sure I haven’t left anything and found other people’s pants.”
Blackpool highlights
There is no denying how close the hotel is to several hugely popular attractions though, in addition to Blackpool Pleasure Resort.
And Coral Island, a family-friendly indoor fun park with pirate-themed games and rides, plus a casino with slots and tables, is less than half an hour away.
We get all sorts of people staying here. We have long-term guests that are struggling to pay for flats, people looking for a budget break, and people coming for business
Mark TenfoldGeneral Manager
Just a five-minute walk away is Jade Delight, which offers a variety of Chinese delicacies.
Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse travelled to Blackpool with her family recently and said that the town is still a great spot for a weekend break with kids.
She said: “Whether you love a back-to-basics bucket-and-spade beach break, want a thrill a minute at one of the UK’s oldest theme parks or fancy a night on the tiles, there’s everything you need at Blackpool.”
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Most rooms come with en-suite bathrooms, an electric kettle, and a flat-screen TV with satellite channelsCredit: Booking.com
DITCH the booze this month to help save some cash and get a clear head in the run-up to Christmas.
Sober October is a campaign backed by Macmillan Cancer Support — and you can sign up to join in the challenge at gosober.org.uk.
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Try our easy ideas for alcohol-free drinks for Sober OctoberCredit: Getty
Then try these easy ideas for alcohol-free drinks to see you through to November . . .
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HOT ROSIE: Add hot water to rosemary cordial, which you can make from the Tesco recipe below, for a hot toddy perfect for autumn.
To make the cordial, put the zest and juice from two lemons and a grapefruit into a pan.
Get a handful of rosemary sprigs and strip the leaves into the pan along with 60g of fresh, sliced ginger, 150g of sugar and 250ml of water.
Stir on a medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then reduce the heat to low, stirring for around 15 minutes until it is thicker and fragrant.
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Strain through a sieve and keep in a storage bottle. You’ll need two tablespoons of the cordial added to a cup of hot water to create your toddy.
FAUX G&T: If you love a gin and tonic, try an alcohol-free version of the spirit such as Tanqueray 0.0% and Flor de Sevilla 0.0%, both down to £15 from £17 at Sainsbury’s with a Nectar card.
Selected Fever-Tree tonics are down from £2.10 to £1.80 for 500ml with a Clubcard at Tesco. Try the Spanish clementine flavour with the Flor de Sevilla 0.0% for a lovely fruity drink.
Or the elderflower tonic goes well with the standard Tanqueray 0.0%.
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MULLED APPLE JUICE: Swap mulled cider for apple juice and embrace autumn without the booze.
How to make Taylor Swift’s favourite cocktail
You need to simmer a litre of apple juice with a stick of cinnamon, two or three cloves and orange peel to create the perfect seasonal drink.
If you prefer it sweeter, then just add a couple of spoonfuls of sugar.
All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Deal of the day
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Save £16.99 on this sequined dress from H&MCredit: H&M
NEED a dress to impress? This sequined number from H&M should do the trick. It’s down from £37.99 to £21.
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Cheap treat
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Asda’s whisky, fig and honey flavoured mince pies are just £2.50Credit: Asda
IT’S never too early to start tucking into mince pies. Try Asda’s whisky, fig and honey flavoured versions, £2.50 for a four-pack.
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What’s new?
CO-OP has a double-filled pasta range you don’t require extra sauce to enjoy.
Try brasato and bechamel ravioli, nduja and burrata cappellacci or butternut squash and sage cappellacci . Down to £2.70 from £3.70 until Tuesday.
Top swap
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The Pantene Pro-V colour shampoo is £5.99 at SuperdrugCredit: Superdrug
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But Lidl’s Cien Pro Vitamin shampoo is just £1.95Credit: Lidl
LOOK after coloured hair with Pantene Pro-V colour shampoo, £5.99, at Superdrug. Or try Lidl’s Cien Pro Vitamin shampoo, for £1.95.
SAVE: £4.04
Little helper
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YOUR radiators will create more warmth if they are dust-free. Try this e-cloth wand, £9, from Dunelm, to get in those hard-to-reach nooks.
Shop & save
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Save £7.49 on this Max Factor Priyanka lipstick at PoundlandCredit: Poundland
ADD a touch of elegance to your look with this Max Factor Priyanka lipstick.
It is usually £9.99 but Poundland is selling it, online only, for £2.50.
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SAVE: £7.49
Hot right now
JOIN Tapas Revolution’s loyalty club to get 25 per cent off autumn dishes, Mon–Thur this month. Sign up at tapasrevolution.com.
PLAY NOW TO WIN £200
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Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle
JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.
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Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.
Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.
The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!
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