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 9th 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.
