Schizopolis (1996)

Fletcher Munson, the lethargic employee of a pseudo-religious self help company, and his doppelganger, the friendly but dull dentist Dr. Jeffrey Korchek.

Director:

Steven Soderbergh (uncredited)

Stars:

Steven Soderbergh, Miles Hardy, Gordon Mese

Cast

Credited cast:
Miles Hardy	...	Baseball player
Gordon Mese	...	Debt Collector

Storyline

Fletcher Munson is a lethargic, passive worker for a Scientology-like self-help corporation called Eventualism. After the death of a colleague, he is promoted to the job of writing speeches for T. Azimuth Schwitters, the founder and head of the group. He uses this as an excuse to be emotionally and romantically distant from his wife, who, he discovers, is having an affair with his doppelganger, a dentist named Dr. Jeffrey Korchek. As Munson fumbles with the speech and Korchek becomes obsessed with a new patient, a psychotic exterminator named Elmo Oxygen goes around the town seducing lonely wives and taking photographs of his genitals.

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Plot Keywords:

doppelganger | black comedy | absurdism | satire | experimental film | 

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Taglines:

Come early! Come often!

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Mystery

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

There were two characters named Munson that came out the same year in 1996. Roy Munson from Kingpin and Fletcher Munson from Schizopolis. Both characters struggle with being surrounded by idiots.

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Goofs

The word "circumcised" is misspelled on Elmo's truck.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Man: And action.
Filmmaker: Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, this may seem an unusual procedure speaking to you before the picture begins but we have an unusual subject.
Filmmaker: [instructs the cameraman] Turn.
[camera zooms closer]
Filmmaker: When I say that this is the most important motion picture you will ever attend, my motivation is not financial gain but a firm belief that the delicate fabric that holds all of us together will be ripped apart unless every man, woman and child in this country sees this film and ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

No fish were harmed during the making of this film.

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Connections

Spoofed in Scenic Highway (2006)

User Reviews

Entertaining and thought provoking comedy.

The first time I saw this film I was entertained and mildly confused by what I had just witnessed, it primarily represents a satiric look at modern life Pre Office Space, but saying just that does not do the picture justice. The combination of surrealism, satire and general creativity make this film worth while and most importantly worthy of multiple viewings. At times it feels as though it is being weird for the sake of weird but remains to peak curiosity. Some very funny situations and lines. Not for everyone, but for those looking for something different and willing to keep an open mind this is an excellent, original film. If you want loud bangs and shiny things, watch Soderberghs other films like Ocean 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 etc.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese Italian French

Release Date:

9 April 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Steven Soderbergh's Schizopolis

Filming Locations:

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$250,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,023, 13 April 1997

Gross USA:

$10,580

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,580

Company Credits

Production Co:

.406 Production, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby (Mono)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1