A Clockwork Orange...Movie Review by Frankie Brazelton

A Clockwork Orange

Movie Review by Frankie Brazelton

8 out of 10 Muddy Crowns

A Film for the Rebels and the Free Thinkers

A Clockwork Orange is a title you have likely heard, and perhaps have even watched. Originally written by Anthony Burgess in 1962, the novel was adapted to film and directed by the brilliant Stanley Kubrick in 1971. This is a cult classic that has been reviewed countless times. However, since this was my first go at A Clockwork Orange, I wanted to share my thoughts.

In this story you follow an apathetic teenage boy named Alex from his violent escapades to his psychological conditioning in an institution. The “ultra-violence” is carried out by Alex and his gang of droogs (buddies). It seems that Alex gives in to his every whim: battery, rape and even murder. After a betrayal of his droogs, Alex is sentenced to prison, but after 2 well behaved years is assigned to a new breakthrough treatment program that will rehabilitate and reprogram him.

I found the premise of the story extremely interesting. What Burgess and Kubrick both successfully convey is that free-will, will always be favorable compared to a brainwashed society. A man of free-will may not always choose to be a good person, but at least he is his own person, he is still a man. A brainwashed society is a society that loses its very essence of humanity. It’s a strong message that you cannot tame us. We refuse to be your sheeple. The message is every bit as relevant today as it was in 1962. In the story, Alex’s parents are the epitome of the brainwashed, media driven sheeple of their time, which serves as a sharp contrast to Alex’s free will and untamed spirit. Although Alex may be a horrible person to most, he doesn’t allow society to dictate his moral code.

This movie is extravagant in more ways than one, and at times extremely disturbing. The use of music was far more cerebral and sadistic than a simple background melody. Imagine a jovial tune, such as Singin’ in the Rain, used for a scene of home invasion, brutal ass kicking, and horrifying rape, and then later to hear the same song in a mellow scene, post trauma, while bathing in supposed penitence. Hear Beethoven’s 9^th clutch your soul as you watch a wretched convicted killer under go a brutal psychological conditioning program that includes hooking his eyelids open for hours at a time while being forced to watch violent and grotesque images. All of this is filmed on a set that I can only describe as a visual assault with a color scheme to make your eyes bleed. The décor is ugly, over the top, and revolting, which makes each scene all the more uncomfortable. But hey, at least there are plenty of boobs to keep your eyes on the screen.

This movie is supposed to make you feel uncomfortable. Uncomfortable with the actions of the few. Uncomfortable with your government. Uncomfortable with whom you place your trust. Uncomfortable, perhaps even, with your own sexuality and unspoken desires. Who are you? Who do you desire to be? Are you going to allow yourself to be true to your nature? Are you okay with your true nature? Are you okay with the government dictating the moral code and forcing the behavior they want? Do you think we have a sound and fair justice and rehabilitation system? All great questions, and I think they’re anything but subtle in this very loud film.