The 1972 cult classic film A Clockwork Orange is considered to be one of the most influential yet controversial film of its time.
The film was directed by Stanley Kubrick, who also directed other controversial films such as Lolita, Dr. Strangelove, and The Shining. The film stars a young, twisted individual named Alex DeLarge, played by Malcolm McDowell. DeLarge's “droogs” are: Dim, played by Warren Clarke, Georgie, played by James Marcus, and Pete, played by Michael Tran.
Despite the film being rated X when it was first released; it was a success in the box office. It wasn’t until the film's re-release in 1973 that the movie’s rating system had changed to rated R. A Clockwork Orange was even nominated four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Critic’s view of the film was mixed. Some viewers had praised the science fiction-like film. Yet other critic’s didn’t see it as a film to be praised, but rather morally offensive because of the film’s graphic details of sex and violence.
In A Clockwork Orange the main character, DeLarge, did have an influence on the audience as the anti-hero in the film. Since then, this fictional character has had a strong influence on pop culture, and even in music of several genres, including punk and alternative. For some people, the movie had a negative, not to mention, violent influence on them, which caused them to commit crimes that were similar to scenes in the film. One incident occurred where a 17 year-old Dutch girl was raped in 1973 in Lancashire, at the hands of men singing "Singing in the Rain." Also, a 16 year-old boy had beaten a younger child while wearing a uniform, like DeLarge and his friends, made up of white overalls, a black bowler hat and combat boots.
Aside from the violent imagery in A Clockwork Orange, what’s interesting about the film is the story line. In the introduction of the film, DeLarge does all these bad things to people just for fun. He seems to live for violence, drugs, sex, and Beethoven- and at times, he enjoyed them all at the same time. After the experimental aversion therapy, what DeLarge enjoyed the most was now taken away from him. However, DeLarge is happy to turn his life around, since he is now “cured.” But afterwards, he ends up meeting the same people he harmed, which included his own family and “droogs” that end up turning on him. When they retaliate, he expects them to show mercy towards him because he is not the same person. This concept holds true to the old saying, “You reap what you sow.”
The only negative aspect of the film is the ending, which implied that viewers should feel sorry for DeLarge, because he was forced to alter his thinking in order to become a good person, which can be seen as inhuman. After the terrible incidents that occurred after DeLarge’s treatment, he ends up reverting back to his old ways. For him life would seem much better this way, because this is the way it ought to be from DeLarge’s point of view, which he now seems okay with. Because of this ending, some people could get the impression that if a person, like in DeLarge’s situation, changes to become a good person, the outcome can usually be in vain and can in fact have negative consequences instead. So a person might feel like what’s the point of changing their ways. So they may decide to give up and go back to their old ways with great anticipation like DeLarge did.
Reviewer's Rating: 9 out 10
Written by: Bridget Campos
Originally posted on April 5, 2009
Link: http://thecelebritycafe.com/movies/full_review/12846.html
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