Review: The New Man

There may be a home movie quality about Josh Appignanesi’s (The Infidel, Song of Songs) film, The New Man, but the issues he examines are profound. Written and directed with his wife, Devorah Baum — an academic — Appignanesi’s premise was to turn the camera on himself to explore his feelings about his impending first-time fatherhood in his late thirties. After a series of failed fertility treatments, the pregnancy is obviously joy-fuelled mixed with inevitable apprehension, particularly on the part of Appignanesi.

His angst at trying to work out his changing status provides some of the laugh out-loud moments. “I’m pregnant, we’re all pregnant,” he tells Devorah. He worries that the baby will usurp him — terrified that being a father will change everything about his life. Appignanesi is often unshaven, constantly needy and seems to spend too much time moping about in the house.

The then-out-of work film-maker captures conversations with friends, acquaintances and family. The camera accompanies him everywhere — on the bus, dinner parties and walks with his wife. He visits his parents, who separated when he was a young boy, and their discussions about Appignanesi’s own fathering are affecting and funny.

The film is intimate, honest and introspective. It reveals the everyday stresses and strains on the couple — her work overload, his lack of it. But the project takes a dramatic shift as complications surround the pregnancy and excitement is replaced by acute, palpable anxiety.