Review of A Clockwork Orange (1971) by Marc R — 18 Mar 2013

Raises powerful, timeless questions about the morality of society and the methods a government might take to control its people, all w/ a twisted and darkly humorous tone. There is so much to unpack here.

While commenting on human nature, control, art, barbarism, media, and ethical compromise, the film also explores subjectivity versus objectivity, and whether one can discern the two. The viewer is faced with one's own view of violence on screen and is forced to distance oneself from the violence Kubrick depicts, which is done through the eyes of the protagonist, appearing joyful and balletic.

It is this aspect of the film that makes it one of the most challenging works in cinema. Kubrick's mise-en-scene is as hypnotic, deft, and as thematically driven as Malcolm Mcdowell's career-defining performance.

It's a perfect fusion of subject matter and director.