Clean, Shaven Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A possibly-maybe murderer with a bad case of head static tries to reconnect with his daughter, but society just won’t let him live his truth.

🍿 Clean, Shaven: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: Peter’s Release

Peter Winter, a man suffering from schizophrenia, is released from a mental institution. The film immediately immerses the viewer in Peter’s distorted reality through unsettling sound design and fragmented visuals. It’s clear Peter is struggling to function normally in the outside world.

The Search for Nicole

Peter’s primary goal is to find his young daughter, Nicole, who was put up for adoption after his hospitalization. His search is fraught with challenges, complicated by his mental state. We see the world through his paranoid perspective, filled with paranoia and auditory hallucinations.

Under Suspicion

Simultaneously, a police detective is investigating a series of child murders. Peter becomes a prime suspect due to his erratic behavior and history, adding another layer of tension to the narrative. The detective’s pursuit amplifies Peter’s paranoia and sense of isolation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Peter Winter (Peter Greene): A schizophrenic man recently released from an institution, desperately seeking to reconnect with his estranged daughter.
• Nicole (Jennifer MacDonald): Peter’s young daughter, living with an adoptive family and unaware of her father’s struggles.
• Mrs. Winter (Megan Owen): Peter’s mother who put Nicole up for adoption.
• Jack McNally (Robert Albert): A police detective investigating a child murder and suspecting Peter.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Peter Winter: “I was in a, in a hospital bed, and I had been operated on. And they had put a, a small receiver in the back of my head and a transmitter in my finger. You know what they are?” – Peter tries to explain his delusions to his daughter, revealing the distorted reality he perceives.
• Peter Winter: “Yeah, a radio. Anyway, to get at the transmitter, I had to take my fingernail off.” – Continues explaining his delusions to his daughter, he reveals the self-harm he inflicts in an attempt to relieve them.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $68,000
• Domestic Gross: $26,351
• Worldwide Gross: $26,351

💥 Clean, Shaven Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, this movie really got to me. I’ll admit, it was hard to watch at times with the intense portrayal of Peter’s mental state. The sound design really put me on edge, and I felt like I was inside his head. Peter Greene’s performance was incredible; he made the character so real and vulnerable. The scene where he interacts with his daughter was so heartbreaking. It is not a feel-good movie, but it’s a powerful and unforgettable experience.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of independent films”
  • “Those interested in psychological dramas”
  • “Viewers comfortable with challenging and disturbing content”
  • “Those interested in films about mental illness.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic scenes”
  • “Disturbing content”
  • “Mental illness depiction”
  • “Violence”

Professional Reviews

• MovieWeb: “Clean, Shaven provides a raw and unfiltered look into the life of a man struggling with schizophrenia. The film’s strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of mental illness, offering a perspective rarely seen in mainstream cinema. While challenging to watch, it’s a powerful and thought-provoking experience that stays with you long after the credits roll.
• Gold Derby: “Clean, Shaven is praised for its realism and Peter Greene’s exceptional performance. While the film might not be for everyone due to its intense and disturbing content, it remains a significant contribution to independent cinema. The stark and minimalist style enhances the sense of isolation and paranoia that permeates the story.
• IMDb User: “Clean, Shaven is a unique and challenging film that offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a person with schizophrenia. The movie is praised for its raw and unflinching depiction of mental illness. The sound design is particularly effective, creating a sense of disorientation and unease that mirrors the protagonist’s experience.

Audience Reactions

Viewers laud the raw and honest portrayal of schizophrenia, noting its authenticity and impact.: Many agree that Peter Greene’s performance is outstanding, capturing the character’s torment and vulnerability with remarkable skill.

The film’s sound design is praised for creating a disorienting and immersive experience, mirroring the protagonist’s mental state.: Audiences appreciate the film’s willingness to tackle difficult subject matter and its unique approach to storytelling.

Overall Consensus: Clean, Shaven is a disturbing, but powerful film praised for its realistic depiction of schizophrenia and Peter Greene’s compelling performance, though its intense content may not be for everyone.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Lodge Kerrigan spent considerable time researching schizophrenia to ensure an accurate portrayal of the condition.”
• “The film’s low budget ($68,000) necessitated a minimalist approach to filmmaking, focusing on sound design and Peter Greene’s performance to convey the protagonist’s mental state.”
• “The stark and unsettling soundscape was meticulously crafted to simulate the auditory hallucinations experienced by individuals with schizophrenia.”
• “Filming took place in Miscou Island, New Brunswick, Canada, chosen for its isolated and desolate landscapes that mirror the protagonist’s inner turmoil.”

🖥️ How to Watch Clean, Shaven?

As a lesser-known independent film, “Clean, Shaven” may be difficult to find on mainstream streaming platforms. Check for rental or purchase options on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. You might also find it through smaller independent film streaming services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Clean, Shaven, you might like these similar films:

• Spider (2002): Similar intense portrayal of schizophrenia from the protagonist’s perspective, creating a claustrophobic and unsettling viewing experience.
• Repulsion (1965): Explores the mental disintegration of a young woman, trapping the viewer in her subjective and increasingly distorted reality, with use of disturbing visuals and sound design.
• Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986): Features a detached and realistic depiction of violence, creating a sense of unease and moral ambiguity.
• Keane (2004): Features a realistically portrayed mentally ill man searching for his daughter while struggling with his symptoms.

🛒 Clean, Shaven Related Products

• DSM-5 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: A comprehensive resource for understanding and diagnosing mental health conditions, providing valuable insights into disorders like schizophrenia portrayed in the film. This is essential for anyone wanting to explore the subject of schizophrenia portrayed in the movie.
• Schizophrenia Sucks T-Shirt: High-quality t-shirt made from comfortable, durable cotton fabric. Wear your support and start the conversation around mental health awareness.
• Mental Health Coloring Book for Adults: An Adult Coloring Book for Anxiety Relief, Meditation, Relaxation and Stress Relief: Explore your inner feelings and reduce stress. Use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to create beautiful works of art.

🎧 Soundtrack

Clean, Shaven features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Original Score Excerpts” – performed by Lodge Kerrigan and Hahn Rowe (Likely unreleased as a formal soundtrack)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Watching Your Disturbing & Traumatising Picks | Spookyastronauts

Ever wondered what other movies are in the same vein as ‘Clean, Shaven’? This video dives into a bunch of disturbing films, and ‘Clean, Shaven’ is one of them! It’s a great way to discover some truly unsettling cinema – I found a couple of gems I’d never heard of!

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