A statement on ALL (Analysis)

Rating: 10/10 (20 October 2014)

Upon first viewing this film (the first of Kubrick's work I had seen) the film, though visually striking and eerily violent I didn't understand the significance of what the film was trying to convey and was unsure whether the film's 'crusification' of the main protagonist (Alex) was enough to redeem him for the horrors he had committed. Despite Malcolm McDowell playing the part with undeniable and magnetic charisma, the character he plays is an archetype of young gang criminals, finding an elevation of meaning in the crimes they commit in contrast to their otherwise seemingly dim lives.
Alex's gang choose to hang around in a crudely stylish milk bar, where they even see local sophisticates. This bar is symbolic of societies inadvertent encouragement of such behaviour of violence attracting though sex represented through it. The author of the films source material (novel of the same name) chooses the language of the gangs to be a distinct style called 'Nadsat'. Just like gangs in this day and age deviating from common tongue in favour of their own language games, he chooses to immortalise this idea using Nadsat's Shakespearian and Cockney inspired speak and continues the idea of the gangs self- glorification. The gang will cause havoc and continue to assert their superiority and dominance, whether it be against other gangs, on the road or where it is most brutal - through physical violence through sexual abuse and GBH.
Having said this, the film is not just about the brutality of these gangs. A common misconception is that the film is of gangs, and although this is the case, it is as much a critique of society breeding this culture as it is of gang violence. Alex's house is shown to be scattered with litter and even has the ascetic of being abandoned, showing negligence of such areas he lives in from the state. In this working class environment, Alex's father seems to involved with work to care what he is up to and has given up on him, whilst his Mother (though more caring) lulls herself into believing the lies of her son, playing ignorance to live a happy family fantasy. The social worker of Alex's (if you can call him that) is more worried about his reputation and career (similar to Alex's father) than Alex, pressuring him to stop using intimidation and mild violence rather than truly empathising with him. Mr Alexander (the middle class liberal writer) is fine with Alex despite his previous crimes; lulled over by the potential to ruin the politician involved with his treatment and treats him kindly, willing to help until personal prejudice gets in the way, vindictively turning Alex into a sacrificial lamb for his cause despite his beliefs. This is a critique on people's moral stance differing once personal prejudice is involved. The police are shown at their worst as unnecessarily violent. What is interesting is towards the end of the film, revealing Alex's old gang as police, suggesting that policing is an outlet for violent people that is justified by the law, and that these black uniforms (contrasting with the white gang colour) are gang colours themselves.
However, the most obvious critique is the states choice to 'treat' Alex in a different way not as an genuinely motivated treatment, but a cost saving method to save on prison space (in spite of its consequences). Their view is monetary and political more than anything else, directly opposed by the reverends view of it all. Possibly the most moral voice in the film, he is not against the new treatment because it allows criminals to get out quicker - which annoys the police just as much - but because it removes the social and spiritual purpose of prison; true rehabilitation. With Alex's new condition, it removes his choice of right and wrong and takes that opportunity away from him, instead offering him pain whenever he exhibits violence; forcing him to do the opposite. When this is shown to an audience, the prison guard smiles as it has still served his original intention through prison; pain, whilst the reverend detests it and pities Alex not for what he is, but what he has now become.
A Clockwork Orange is a masterpiece ahead of its time, which holds up even today as one of cinema's finest achievements.