Not a movie for the faint of heart, but would be excellent for anyone just beginning to enter the world of Schizophrenia. There's no violence, a lot of language but then if you know the mentally ill you know they were there with the language long before it was trendy. The thing is they use the language in the battle forevermore - the never ending battle to appear normal. They are forevermore trying to appear just like everyone else but there is always a little thing, an intensity, a sensitivity, that gives them away. And they are forevermore trying to figure out just what gave them away. The only thing that helps them to half way achieve normalcy are the drugs and the more they need them the more they resist them. Schizophrenia is the world through the distorted looking glass. What we of the normal world need to realize is that as much as we fear them, they fear us and with very good reason. We are by far more a threat to them than they are to us.
This film does a fairly good job of putting you inside the mind of someone who's managed to appear normal long enough to get outside and hunt down his long lost childhood love. While he was inside he probably built that relationship into his one shinning beacon of hope. So he sets off on the journey to find her, throws away his meds and goes to a diner his family always used to eat in. There he orders like a regular person, compliments the chef, and thinks the fan is taunting him. That's what the disease does to its victims things lose their proper fix and grow into something they never were. Whether it is a talking fan or a childhood nonexistent love affair the proportions and time have become unfixed and slowly but surely so is his mind.

This film did a wonderful job portraying psychosis/delusions as experienced by "Gabriel." Rory Culkin explored the role of an individual struggling with what appears to be the prodromal phase of schizophrenia. He was driven by a thirst for an idealistic love that he could not share with anyone except Alice. Gabriel's family did what many supportive families would do, which was try to get him the support he needed. Although they do not show where Gabriel was getting "help," it might have been through institutionalization. Gabriel just wanted normality. He didn't want a label that set him apart from the rest of society and he didn't want to live an institutionalized life. IF you want to see how the early stages of schizophrenia might affect someone, this is a movie that is sure to help you understand that struggle.

Understanding comes before completely appreciating this film. Realistic is every way, wrenching, distressing and hopeless is this portrayal of mental illness that so many families try to deal with. Acting by all is superb and one really cares instantly for all characters. It was a sad privilege to witness this gentle and compassionate view into a tormented mind. This is the daily torture of some with major depression, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. If you have not experienced it in your family it is incomprehensible to most people but it is truly portrayed in this film at every turn. How depression and suicide affects the family,the inability to help, threatening behavior, self-hatred and self-harm, self delusion,ECT, genetics and trauma are all spoken with crystal clarity. One of the very few films to get it completely right by all concerned. Hard but marvelous in its truth. I thank the makers of this film for presenting the public with the truth. The ending was perfect. No thread was dropped.

I can't remember seeing any portrayal of psychosis as realistic or emotionally balanced as this. On one hand, there's the innocent patient, the main victim of this horrible affliction. On the other are those who love him, and suffer so much for it. I was drawn into an understanding of them both that I didn't previously have. There are no unlikable characters, though his mother takes some getting used to. Frankly, Rory Culkin deserved an Oscar IMHO.

I knew this kid looked familiar. The Culkin boys are a talented troupe. This younger Culkin; Rory. Wow. His 'Gabriel' and his portrayal of a medication resistant young man with schizo-affected disorder was heartbreaking, as well as, endearing. All actors in this movie were compelling. The young actress who played Gabriel's imagined soul mate and forever love; did so, exquisitely.

Cinematherapy of sorts for persons who love a person afflicted with schizophrenia or other mental illness and emotional distress that embraces delusion, and painful, painful insight. It may provide much needed perspective.

It was sad to see the demise of this young man. The main character was very well portrayed by Rory Culkin. He is a very good actor. This movie shows very well the pain the main character is enduring and the pain inflicted on the people close to him. Nobody is able to provide Gabriel the support he requires, emotionally and medical. The end of the movie leaves it open if the total break down Gabriel is experiencing in these last minutes of the movie is dooming him for a live incarcerated in mental institutions or if he will ever have a chance to have a "normal" live. Impressive movie.

The trailer and description confused me - neither accurately matched the contents of this movie.

Gabriel painfully depicts a mentally ill young man, struggling for "normalacy"- stunningly portrayed by Rory Culkin, and his "war torn" yet poignant, supportive family. Superb story and cast. Misguided marketing led this viewer to misinterpret events and motivations throughout the entire movie. That contradiction produces an unfortunate distraction from the riveting performances within. It's most likely the main reason Gabriel isn't receiving more five-star ratings...

Well done. The dialogue, acting and tone were all minimal but nearly flawless in the realism. Watching the internal struggle of this young man, as he fights, the only way he knows how, to live a normal life, is difficult and heartbreaking but throws a clear light on the day to day of his life and his desperate need to feel loved. I found it suspenseful and captivating. I can see why some reviewers thought otherwise, as it isn't very flashy or action packed, but this is an internal journey not an external one, and the filmmakers give the viewer a front row seat to the protagonist's pain.