Magnificent and thought-provoking

Rating: Null/10 (19 July 2002)

"2001: A Space Odyssey" marked the beginning of Stanley Kubrick's new filmmaking style, which relied more on a spectacular use of color and shot composition as well as the use of classical music and electronic scores. "A Clockwork Orange", considered by many to be his most morally ambiguous feature, might be the ultimate example of this new style of filmmaking which Kubrick would continue to utilize for the rest of his career. The film is so uniquely colorful and innovatively designed that, regardless of whatever deeper meanings it might contain, the film is incredibly fascinating to watch. In fact, this film is quite original in every aspect, from the "Nadsat" dialogue, to the innovative camera angles.
Many have criticized the film, claiming that in encourages violence, which is entirely false. The first several scenes with the movie's main character, Alex, assaulting random people without the slightest hint of morality has the ability to offend people quite easily. What many fail to realize, however, is that these scenes are meant to be viewed through Alex's sadistic mind. The beautiful classical music in the background and the stylized rhythm helps to show Alex's perspective of his crimes.
Alex is a walking definition of a psychotic. He lacks a sense of morals, takes delight in establishing dominance over others (including his own gang), shows fearlessness (his "King of the Road" game helps to demonstrate this), and finds himself unable to control his impulses. He also has a charming and manipulative personality, as most psychotics do. Alex is charismatic enough to make us like him, but we also loathe him and his horrifying actions throughout the first half of the film. Towards the second half of the film, in which Alex is left helpless by the government to defend himself, we actually feel sorry for this cruel, unmerciful human scum.
Some people fail to recognize the satire throughout "A Clockwork Orange". The government's attempts at rehabilitating criminals, which consists of nothing more than taking away his ability to choose, is one of the focuses. Also note that, when Alex is released from prison with the inability to commit evil deeds, the members of society which he wronged before take their revenge on him. They beat him and torture him, which shows that society has the tendency to be just as deranged as Alex. One man, Mr. Alexander, who's wife is dead as a result of Alex's criminal behavior, has become even more psychotic and sadistic than Alex. The hypocrisy of society is shown brilliantly throughout the film.
It seems that everyone in "A Clockwork Orange" is evil. Alex and his gang, his victims, the scientists who invented the "Ludivico treatment" used on Alex, the prison inmates (obviously), and the government that forms an alliance with Alex at the end of the film in an attempt to pin the experiment's failure on the scientists and some of the individual members of society. The only good, moral character to be found is the prison chaplin, who is gullible enough to fall for Alex's sucking up, and who is caring and perceptive enough to tell that the Ludivico treatment will take away Alex's choice to be a human being, thus making him a clockwork orange.
What is "A Clockwork Orange" really about? There are several interpretations. I see the film as an examination of criminals as well as what we can do with them. As prison's become increasingly overcrowded, we find that there's nothing that can be done with them. The government first tries to take away his ability to do bad deeds, but, after that attempt misfires, they put him in a position of power. The sad truth is, psychotics are often the ones put into major positions in society. Perhaps that's why our world in such miserable shape.
But even if you're not in the mood for thinking, just enjoy the film for the amazing combination of visuals and music. Admire the brilliant and unforgettable compositions. There are two great, lengthy shots which come to mind. The first, in which Alex has been caught by the police, has his social worker, Mr. Deltoid gleefully looking telling him his most recent victim has died. Deltoid, the inspector, and the policeman all look directly into the camera, a shot from Alex's point of view. Another memorable moment is a slow zoom-out, beginning with a close-up of Mr. Alexander listening to Alex scream for mercy as he's tormented by the Beethoven music he's conditioned to be revolted by. It slowly zooms-out to observe the stoic reactions of the other people in the room, while keeping the focus on the demented Alexander. Pure genius.