A Clockwork Orange
Rest in peace, Stanley Kubrick. The late filmmaker established himself with The Shining (1980), Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Full Metal Jacket. Unfortunately, his last directing project was the overlong and seemingly pointless Eyes Wide Shut. Regardless of his final impression, KubrickÕs career was marked with both controversy and critical acclaim. One of his films, A Clockwork Orange, is a recipient of both.
This surreal morality tale centers on a young hoodlum named Alex (now-obscure Malcolm McDowell), who lives in the early 21st century England. The lead character and his ÒdroogsÓ (fellow gang members) beat up old drunken men & rival gangs and violate random women. One day, AlexÕs friends become tired of being ordered around like servants and decide to set up Alex. The droogs convince him to break into a womanÕs home, something theyÕve done to many houses before. Once inside, Alex and the owner fight, and she is knocked out cold. Upon leaving, the droogs smash a bottle against AlexÕs face, preventing him from escaping before the police arrive. The lady dies later at the hospital; Alex is arrested, tried and convicted of her murder and sent to prison.
After two years in the big house, Alex learns of an experimental program that could release him from prison several years before his sentence is complete. Alex volunteers for the program convinced he can withstand whatever the doctors decide to do to him. The experiment in store for Alex is called the Ludovico treatment, another name for aversive therapy. The researchers inject Alex with a serum that will make him feel deathly ill while they force him to watch gratuitously violent movies. After two weeks of the Ludovico treatment, the doctors show the media and the decision-makers that Alex is physically unable to assault anyone without feeling extremely sick. AlexÕs past crimes and media exposure from the treatment impact his ability to re-enter society.
A Clockwork Orange is one of the most unique films ever made. The story takes place on planet Earth, but itÕs a completely different world. Psychedelic bars sell Òmilk plusÓ (milk fortified with behavior-altering drugs) instead of alcohol. The shopping mall looks like it is 200 years before its time. The other sets appear to be traditional, but they still play with your senses. The classical musical score adds to your disorientation. Lastly, a movie with a title like A Clockwork Orange canÕt be conventional.
Clockwork was released in the early Ô70s, but its social commentary is timeless. The crime problem is bad enough to warrant the hiring of undisciplined former gang members as police officers. Some of this movieÕs summaries refer to AlexÕs treatment as brainwashing. Although the Ludovico treatment and brainwashing both compel a person to act against their rational free will, Alex is aware of his actions at all times. If the subject of aversive therapy came up in real-world America, opponents would use this film to prevent its use.
For a truly unique film experience, watch A Clockwork Orange. ItÕs odd and messed up. However, life can be the same way, and you already know how interesting that is.
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This film feels like an acid trip in itself. Alcohol is optional during viewing.
The numerous rape scenes will not help your chances of hooking up.
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