Product: A Clockwork Orange [VHS] (1972)
Rating: 4.0
ALEX THE HOODLUM
Adapted from the 1962 novel by Anthony Burgess, this movie takes place in a dreary, routinised England in which roving gangs of teenage thugs terrorise at night. A sadistic punk leads a gang on nightly rape and murder sprees, then is captured and becomes the subject of a grim experiment to eradicate his violent tendencies. Alex (Malcolm McDowell) is a the protangonist leader of the gang; he's a conscienceless, sadistic school-boy who enjoys stealing, raping and destroying; in this dehumanising society, there seems to be no way for the boys to release their energies except in vandalism and generally living a life of crime. The film is an exhilarating experience, with an outstanding performance from McDowell as the funny, fierce psychopath. Many memorable, disturbing sequences, including a rape conducted while assaliant McDowell belts out "Singing in the Rain" (!) Outstanding, provacative work from master filmmaker Kubric.