Deeply disturbing

Rating: Null/10 (23 December 2001)

Minor spoilers.
One of the few films that I have thought worthy after reading the book first. It is undoubtably due to Kubrick's faithful adaption of the sui generis novel by Anthony Burgess. Upon recently completing Dickens' Oliver Twist, I was struck by the many similarities between that work and Burgess' depraved book. Separated by over 100 years, they both use the streets of London for their scrofulous settings. Both authors use violence and clever street argot to enhance their stories. Both use youth as a vehicle to study corruption.
Kubrick keeps true to his inspiration's synchronic testament by avoiding the cause of profligacy, and instead dwelling on its effect. The dystopian world in Clockwork attempts to thwart immorality through science. This method precludes the proclivity toward recidivism, but thrusts on society the transgression of dehumanizing part of its populace.
The film's terminus ad quem leads us to an invidious reality that evil must co-exist with humanity. This is presented ominously and darkly. But it is a fitting ending to a disquieting story.
WARNING!!! I very seldom caution anyone from viewing a film, but the wanton violence and a despicable rape scene may be better left unwatched by the squeamish or impressionable.