A Clockwork Orange: An unforgettable experience.
Based on the novel by Anthony Burgess, A Clockwork Orange is a visually and contemplatively complex work. Since the film stunned it's audience in 1971-with its strong violence and sexual aspect- it has caused much controversy about the essence of free will. .
Alex, the main character (played superbly by Malcolm McDowell), gives a new meaning to the term "anti-hero." He still remains today as the most ironic, complex and sympathetic anti-hero in the history of cinema. While he is vicious and murderous, he also has a love for Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, his working-class parents, his boa constrictor and supposedly goes to school. He seems like a delightful person and ordinary person. The only difference is that Alex has a love for sex and violence. While he has a creative imagination, it is fueled by his violent rages. Alex seems to take delight in killing people.
At the moment, you"re probably thinking how could anyone watch this type of film? .
That is what Kubrick does so well with A Clockwork Orange. The way Alex is presented to us- he is charming and ruthless despite his murderous ways- we are asked to identify with him because we as an audience feel he is wronged by society. A society who abuse him and use him for political ambition.
The film begins with a stunning close-up of Alex and his fellow "Droogs" sitting in the Korova Milkbar drinking what appears to be milk. A drink that can "sharpen you up and get you ready for a bit of the old ultraviolence". For the first half-hour, Kubrick shows us a fair bit of violence- but he has more up his sleeve for the audience than just Alex's rampages. The soundtrack adds a great mood to the film, its bizarre and unique sound gives the film an eerie quality.
Alex is eventually caught by the police after being betrayed by his fellow Droogs. He is sent to prison where he gets the taste of a "Ludovico technique.