An astonishing look at society as a machine.

Rating: 10/10 (28 July 1999)

I was shocked the first time I saw this movie, but I'm quite certain thats intended. The entire movie intends to show how involuntary our actions in life really are, from the clicking heels of the prison guards, to the predictable family "interaction" to the cold, politically motivated people who take him in. In my opinion, as well as many others, it tries to portray that what society often describes as "evil" is simply breaking the pre-defined mold. The ultra-violence and sex can be repulsive to some, but they are a necessity to really instill the idea that these are the only people in the movie who are actually ALIVE. Plus, the reversal of attacks later in the movie show the ability to live, the capacity for evil, is in everyone, only suppressed by brainwashing forced upon them by society. Everyone is brainwashed; quite an astounding realization for a movie, and excellently executed.