The Greatest Book Adaptation Ever

Rating: 10/10 (25 October 2007)

In 1971 Stanley Kubrick decided to adapt the cult novella A Clockwork Orange. Stanley was no stranger to controversy (he adapted the novel Lolita back in 1962), but the firestorm associated with this film would make Lolita look like a Disney film by comparison. The film takes place in a futuristic England and centers around Alex DeLarge, a psychopathic teenager who leads a gang of thugs and rapists. He and his "droog" (friends) speak in a special slang called Nadsat, which was invented by the author of the book. Alex is played by Malcolm McDowell. To get an idea how good he was in this role, check out the rest of his work. Nearly every role he played after this had roots in this villain (especially Caligula). He also was the first person in a Kubrick film to use the maniacal stare that Stanley transfered to Nicholson in "The Shining" and Vincent D'Onofrio in "Full Metal Jacket."
In typical Kubrick fashion, the film leaves all endings and assumptions to the viewer. In fact, even the genre of the film is subjective. For some, it is a thriller that follows one sociopath's voyage through the criminal justice system. For others, it is a morality play that questions just how far the government can go. I see it as a dark comedy that tackles both of the aforementioned subjects. Kubrick blends the genres in a way that had not been done before and has not been seen since. When it was released it was considered disturbing because of its depictions of violence and rape. The truly disturbing feature of the film is that it can make you laugh at these heinous crimes. You'll laugh your head off then be ashamed of yourself.
It will take multiple viewings to comprehend the genius of this film, but it's the only film that I've ever had to watch more than once that is immensely entertaining upon first viewing.