Id love to speak like Macdowell does in this!

Rating: Null/10 (8 May 2003)

The neo shakespearean language created in this film provides a continium of comedy for the protagonist Malcolm Macdowell. It also prevents the language from becoming dated as the dialogue is not synonymous with any modern subcultures exchange in discourse. The element of comedy comes from the juxtaposition of the language with the "ultra violence" performed by Alex De Large (Macdowell) and his gang. Soft words and poetic deliveries soften the displays of violence in the film (but perhaps make them darker) and also allow the audience to understand the pleasure in which the Alex takes in the violence as his antics go hand in hand with songs, laughing and poetry. (Possible Spoiler) The film is dark throughout as Alex's character has no arc, suggesting that all change in men is socially conditioned rather than a product of moral awakening. This is classic with Kubrick who changes the ending of the book to deliver a darker conclusion to that of the book much as he did with Stephan Kings 'The Shining'. If you like this film i suggest watching 'American Psycho' which also provides a satirical character who equals Macdowells nihilism and entertains in a similar way.