Quite possibly the greatest film of all time.

Rating: 10/10 (6 May 2003)

Words cannot describe the genius that is Stanley Kubrick's A CLOCKWORK ORANGE; it must be seen. In fact, it must be seen over and over again, and compared to Anthony Burgess's equally brilliant novel, and then seen a few more times for good measure. Malcolm McDowell is utterly impeccable as Alexander DeLarge (get it?), a name in keeping with the sly pun names of Kubrick's DOCTOR STRANGELOVE. For those of you who haven't seen it (shame on you), I will briefly explain the title, and no more; YOU MUST SEE THIS FILM!!!!!! A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, in the novel, is actually the title of a book being written by an old man whom Alex and his "droogies" ("that is Pete, Georgie and Dim") attack, beat and rob one night. The idea is that when a man loses his free will to the justice system, through punishment and so-called "rehabilitation", he becomes as a clockwork orange: flesh and the semblance of life on the outside, but all mechanical gears on the inside. That should give you some indication of what happens to Alex, but not too much. Remember, you're in the hands of a master filmmaker; the greatest who ever lived, in my opinion. The complexity of the symbolism, the beauty of the decor, the intricate three-act structure, the uniquely dark humor and comedically melodramatic pathos ---- there's simply no other film like it. Nor will there ever be. I consider 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY to be the greatest achievement ever made in the cinema, but for sheer viewing pleasure, this is my favorite film. See it at all costs; then see it again.