A Clockwork Orange is one of the most disturbing, yet lovable films ever created.

Rating: 10/10 (27 February 2008)

Brutal violence, vicious rape, cold-blooded murder, sadistic revenge; Stanley Kubrick's 1971 classic A Clockwork Orange has it all. Few films are as successfully disturbing yet sensational as this timeless feat of cinematic vision. It is impossible to watch A Clockwork Orange without having a deep, emotional response; whether it is disgust, shock or amazement.
Malcolm McDowell played the title character Alexander DeLarge, a sadistic, nihilistic youth who, along with his three droogs, runs rampant in an unfettered spree of violence, rape and robbery. Mr. McDowell's performance is amazing, successfully portraying a character you initially despise, but by the film's final moments, you truly sympathize with and care for. The tremendous acting is accompanied by a riveting story, based on a terrifying, yet beautiful adaptation of Anthony Burgess' 1962 satiric, futuristic novel of the same name.
The main theme of the story revolves around the topic of free-will and good vs. evil. The main character, Alex, is boundless in evil and chaos. When Alex is eventually captured and imprisoned, he volunteers for a controversial new government sponsored program called the The Ludovico Technique. Alex endures one of the most traumatizing procedures ever shown on film; indeed, it is difficult to watch Alex go through it, even knowing the trauma he has inflicted on others. In effect, he is injected with an experimental serum, bound in a straight-jacket, fastened to a seat in a movie theater and has his eyes pried open with metal clamps. He is then forced to view reel after reel of ultra-violent film footage, from gang rape to Nazi extremism. Alex would normally enjoy these types of films, in fact, Alex is quoted in the movie as saying, "I just don't understand about feeling sick the way I did. I never used to feel sick before. I used to feel like the very opposite. I mean doing it or watching it, I used to feel real horrorshow." The serum administered to Alex induced an acute feeling of nausea, thus, he was being conditioned much in the same way as Pavlov's drooling dogs. Whenever confronted by feelings of lust or violence, Alex experiences the overwhelming nauseous feeling, thus preventing him from acting on the violent feelings. Upon completion of the treatment, Alex is released back into the world where he encounters many of his former victims, who take advantage of the now defenseless Alex.
One of the most striking aspects of A Clockwork Orange is Kubrick's dazzling use of a classical score to accompany the many violent scenes. In fact, one of the most controversial moments in film history is the scene where Alex and his droogs break into an older couple's home, beat the husband, tie him up and force him to watch while Alex beats and rapes the wife, all while dancing and singing the classic song, "Singing in the Rain." The contrast of violence and classical music has been acclaimed by critics around the world, and brings about an ironic twist in the movie.
If you've never seen A Clockwork Orange, do yourself a favor and rent it today. You will be amazed and astounded by the music, philosophy, acting, characters, and story of this timeless classic.