Split (1989)

Great Film overall

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Guy is 'on to things' so he shows it by living like a bum, eating out of garbage, and behaving like a raving lunatic. Somebody reviewed this crap as 'ahead of its time'. another as 'matrix on budget'. I can assure you its neither. Its what happens when people get high, think they are creating and instead they are making fools of themselves.What this movie feels like is exactly what it is. A waste of time.To force a 10 line review for this type of garbage is also stupid.If you really enjoy feeling persecuted, dining out of garbage cans, wearing stupidly ineffective disguises, listening to endless, pointless conversations reminiscent of what intoxicated film students converse about ... then this might be a film for you.If however you have any taste or sense stay away from this steaming pile of poop.

Split was one of the more original films I have ever seen, though I am not entirely sure if that is good. I do know that I thought at the time this movie would be come a midnight/cult movie due to its weirdness. The plot was out-there/semi-comprehensible, but the narrative (if you can call it that) unfolded in a very interesting manner. I have been unable to find this on video again, the original store I rented it at having long since folded. This unavailability I think has added to the fondness I have associated with this production. Who knows, perhaps it would be horrible upon modern viewing. I do remember the plot to be Matrix-like in a number of ways, as well as akin to the Philip Jose Farmer penned Dayworld novels.

I don't see how anyone could claim to have deduced the plot of this monstrosity. The film begins with a disheveled man wandering around town with chicklets for teeth. He glances at the camera often so you won't forget. He goes to a diner and talks funny for a while. Then he wanders off to a trash can where he pulls a new costume out of a trash bag. Having ditched the chicklets, one assumes the movie can only get better. Unfortunately you find out that those little pieces of gum impaired the character's ability to speak. Without them he rambles endlessly about some sort of big brother complex he has. It doesn't fit anywhere into the chicklets plot they had been following earlier. Then they eventually cut to the antagonist who we know is a villain because of the gray face paint on one side of his face. Our hero walks around dressed up as a cleaning lady and then is somehow pulled out of a puddle of water by the cyborg. After this my memory is blank. This movie is very much like death, and you'll agree if you survive it.

In a very-near-future world, a corrupt government monitors everyone constantly with computers and surveillance. One man has managed to evade assimilation, and operates outside the system, fighting to preserve his freedom. An engaging and imaginative story and some very interesting editing and camera work. There are some confusing and slow parts, but all in all, an excellent example of what a small crew with brains and talent can do on a shoestring budget.