Soderbergh’s Mind!

The whole film was confusing, but at the same time very entertaining. A lot of films could be described as such, but Schizopolis is just on a whole different level. I’d say it’s a very experimental take on the usual storytelling in films. In fact, it was too experimental that my mind was left with a million questions when it ended.

In the beginning of the film, Soderbergh himself addresses the audience by saying that the film we were about to watch is “the most important motion picture you will attend.” This scene already gave me the impression that the whole film would be a different experience. Oddly enough, it also reminded me of Sex Drive wherein there were naked women just walking across the screen and being in this whole other dimension that only ever served comedic reliefs during awkward moments in the film.

I recognize that there are three main characters in the film: Fletcher Munson, his wife, who also plays “Attractive Woman #2,” and Fletcher’s doppelgänger(?) Korchek. This is another confusing aspect of the film. Obviously this is on purpose, and I guess the usage of the same actors for different characters benefits the storytelling of the different perspectives seen in the film. I saw Fletcher’s story arc as kind of a mockery of a conventional marriage wherein almost everything’s a routine. It’s almost a satirical take on it, actually. The communication, or lack thereof, was one of the most entertaining parts of the film for me. Dialogues like “generic greeting” and “false reaction indicating hunger and excitement” gave me the sense that it was indeed a mockery of this routine. Another notable exchange of words were the dialogues between Elmo and the woman he fancied—“Nose army” “Mellow rhubarb turbine” “Smell sign.” What the hell do these words mean? They’re actually really funny as they are, especially because the characters delivered these lines with such genuine emotions. However, this is probably the most confusing part of the film for me. Is this like a secret language between Elmo and the woman? I don’t know. I really have no idea. It’s a very interesting way to communicate, though. Then comes Korchek who was also played by the actor who played Fletcher and, not to mention, the director of the film who also spoke in the beginning! Soderbergh’s mind! Korchek’s absurd way of expressing his desire for Attractive Woman #2 was another interesting way to communicate. Lastly, when Mrs. Munson spoke to different men, they replied in different languages. I also do not know why this happens, but my take on it is that maybe it serves to emphasize the differences between Mrs. Munson, a wife, and men in general. We all know miscommunication is a problem that has proven to destroy relationships, which is of course what happened between her and Fletcher.

The film was fucked up, but in a good way. You either enjoy it as it is, or delve deeper and try really hard to understand what the hell is happening during those 90 minutes of experimental cinema. Nonetheless, I would definitely recommend this to friends… without context of course. I think that’d be more fun.