Clean, Shaven opens up like many other movies which have tried to deal with schizophrenia: a lonely character, completely disconnected from the world, struggling with the non-controllable impulses caused by this mental disease. Not very original, I'm afraid, and we are left with the feeling of watching the beginning of a one-shot movie that we already know we'll dislike.
Fortunately, that happens to reflect only the beginning. After about half an hour (yes, somewhat of a long starter), Kerrigan finally tells us that what we are going to witness is not that basic story everyone could read in so-called scientific magazines about schizophrenia. We are going to witness the psychotic mess from an internal perspective. Which turns the movie into one of the most painful experiences one could ever have. It's not really the acting or the direction, but the atmosphere which sparkles through the whole movie. Some closed, dust smelling, suffocating, awe inspiring and degenerated surrounding. Some infinitely violent scenes will bring you to these hidden mental places in which you'd rather die than lay. This is where the exquisite part of this movie remains (for lack of a better word). Whereas Spider or Fight Club depicted much more the external vision of schizophrenia, Clean, Shaven goes directly to the point: how difficult is it to be schizophrenic? You'll see that the movie is very noisy, some really disturbing noises, as if you were going through the same disease. As Funny Games directed by M.Haneke is purported to make you feel what psychopathy is. The result is the same: you'll end up exhausted, nauseated and perplexed. Some will end up fascinated. But you'll end up richer, either way.
Fortunately, that happens to reflect only the beginning. After about half an hour (yes, somewhat of a long starter), Kerrigan finally tells us that what we are going to witness is not that basic story everyone could read in so-called scientific magazines about schizophrenia. We are going to witness the psychotic mess from an internal perspective. Which turns the movie into one of the most painful experiences one could ever have. It's not really the acting or the direction, but the atmosphere which sparkles through the whole movie. Some closed, dust smelling, suffocating, awe inspiring and degenerated surrounding. Some infinitely violent scenes will bring you to these hidden mental places in which you'd rather die than lay. This is where the exquisite part of this movie remains (for lack of a better word). Whereas Spider or Fight Club depicted much more the external vision of schizophrenia, Clean, Shaven goes directly to the point: how difficult is it to be schizophrenic? You'll see that the movie is very noisy, some really disturbing noises, as if you were going through the same disease. As Funny Games directed by M.Haneke is purported to make you feel what psychopathy is. The result is the same: you'll end up exhausted, nauseated and perplexed. Some will end up fascinated. But you'll end up richer, either way.