Another great movie by a genius...

Rating: Null/10 (20 September 2002)

I really admire the work of Stanley Kubrick and believe him to be a genius. Although some of his films have imperfections(like everything in life) they are always foreshadowed, and in cases, even erased by the strong points. A Clockwork Orange IS violent, but it is also a truly brilliant, sarcastic masterpiece.
*spoilers to come*
The movie, in the beginning, introduce us to a violent rapist and his droogies, Alex. His main interest is beating up innocents and raping women. However, when he tries to impose himself as too much of a boss amongst his gang, he is betrayed and arrested by the police. He is sent to jail where guards beat him up, perverted prisoners harass him and where he keeps on dreaming of killing and raping.
Then he volunteers for an experimental technique, in which he is forced(without a choice, in underpowerment conditions) images of violence and rapes, all while listening to Beethoven, creating in him disgust for the act violence(even as a mere way of defense), sex(in every form be it) and even the ninth symphony by Beethoven. After this therapy, he of course is no longer a criminal, but also no longer a human being, not even able to defend himself, and completely afraid of sex. All the peoples he hurted during his life of crime then take advantage to plan revenge. He finally decides to try to kill himself. He survives, is deprogramed and in the final scene the minister "spoonfeed"(both literally and metaphorically) him(food and ideas). Then he state to be his friend, never wanting to harm him and says that he have a gift for him. Then, Beethoven's ninth starts playing and journalists come pouring in the room. The minister really is Alex's friend(note: sarcasm). At the end, Alex summarise the movie in a single quote:
"I was cured all right."
He was a criminal, then was reprogrammed to be a robot and finnally deprogrammed to go back to his old criminal habits. Nothing has changed in the end, but the government says he's cured, because otherwise the punlic opinion would turn against them. Another strong point about the movie is how it shows that although devoid of malicious thought after his treatment, he still can't live an happy life because everyone around him is either vengefull, violent or tries to further his own career with him(which is the case for the responsible of the treatment which Alex is privied to). The film pictures nobody as innocent.
Overall, the movie is more than worth watching. That is, if you can get past the offensive material.