Schizopolis?

What can you expect from a film whose title resembles a mental illness ‘schizophrenia’?

Schizopholis is an anomalous film that composes a normalized lifestyle into a peculiar mess. I had no idea what to expect from the film, as I was two minutes into it, the only thing I could conclude was it’s unexpectedness. The film doesn’t follow the prevalent format of films we would typically see in cinemas or at home. Soderbergh plays a series of mind games with his audience as he presents to us – Schizoppolis.

Following the plot was like making your way through a maze. I found it difficult to keep up with its intertwined layers; However, it can be better understood once we divide it into a three-structure act. The first of which focuses on Fletcher Munson played by Soderbergh. It is set in a typical office setting where news of a mole breaks out. We continue to follow Fletcher into his suburban home as the film where we are introduced to his wife Betsy. The script toggled with how we commonly used the English language adding a touch of odd humor in the portrayal of Fletcher’s relationship with his wife. The plot gets twisted as we move along the film where we find out that Dr. Joffrey Korchek, also played by Soderbergh. Korchek’s character was a womanizer who had been sleeping with Fletcher’s wife. Part of the film even viewed the perspective of Betsy, the wife, in another language. It was a challenge to keep up with the film and to fully comprehend what was happening as the story unfolded. I guess you could say, it was unsettling to a point of artistry.

Schizopolis is a film you would have to watch twice to understand, which is something I wouldn’t want to do. It was interesting to have experienced watching it for the first time with a group of people. I couldn’t really pinpoint what our reactions were exactly. Some parts we’d laugh, some parts we’d awkwardly watching together, while the rest was confusion. Although it did broaden my horizon to the possibilities of film, it is not a film that I find personally enjoyable.