To those of you whose crude, sardonic humour often gets you in trouble, this film will become like your long lost twin brother. 1971’s A Clockwork Orange is shrouded as a masterpiece of dark comedy by some, and passed off as a disgusting mess by others. However due to the recent trend of dark comedy in films in the past decade, people have finally begun to appreciate its greatness. A Clockwork Orange tells the story of a deranged adolescent murderer and the punishment he eventually endures. Though the excruciating violence which accompanies the story makes it difficult to view at times, it reminds me of everything I love about Stanley Kubrick and more. This film proved to me once and for all that masterful filmmaking will be masterful filmmaking, no matter the genre.

Being the prime example of a director who cared more about the 10 percent of people who would understand the film than the 90 percent who wouldn’t, Stanley Kubrick knew that without risk there would be no reward. He was willing to sacrifice his impeccable reputation following 2001: A Space Odyssey and Dr.Strangelove, and created what would become yet another masterpiece. Since such violence in films was frowned upon at the time of the film’s release, the film was shunned and appreciated by few people. However the controversies and social acceptances of the time may have affected its reputation, A Clockwork Orange takes a notoriously difficult film genre, masters it, and packages it in a lovable dystopian art style.

The film’s setting is unlike any I’ve ever seen mostly because of its sheer creativity. Though it is set in future England, and contains advanced technology compared to the time of the film’s release, everything remains extremely reminiscent of the 1970s. The film’s setting is like what an ecstatic art designer from 1971 would imagine the future to be. People wear nothing but one-piece suits and neon-colored wigs, and every set is cluttered with all kinds of atrocious modern art. The film even creates its own choppy version of the Scottish accent for the viewer’s amusement. The infamous “Me and My Droogs” monologue from the intro of the film makes it clear that the creators of the film had fun with the dialect.

This film’s introduction is one of the boldest I’ve ever seen. From the first few bone-chilling scenes, these being the scene of the milk bar (which introduces the sex-themed dystopia in which the film takes place) and the beating of the old man (which introduces the gangs of violence-obsessed youths which roam the streets) the film gives across a message to the viewer. This message is that whatever is about to happen in the film, (evidently extreme violence and rape) will happen for the greater good of the film and the film’s themes; a feeling that the viewer’s comfort during certain scenes can be sacrificed for the greater good of the viewing experience. As gruesome as it may be, there is simply no better way to make the viewer understand how evil our protagonist (Alex) is than to show every detail of his acts with a wide-angle lens.

Alex DeLarge, portrayed by Malcolm McDowell, has in many ways been compared to the Antichrist himself. Alex performs murder and rape on a daily basis not because of a bad upbringing or mental issues, but just because it excites him. An interesting way to personify this character would be as the moral opposite of Rodya Raskolnikov from Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment. Crime and Punishment tells the classic story of a man who commits a crime, and literally drives himself to madness over the guilt he feels. In the end, he finds the only way to save his own sanity is to turn himself in; he effectively considers it his obligation to do so. Alex is the very opposite, after the brainwashing punishment he receives, he remains as evil as ever and learns to mask it. He never sees the punishment as atonement in the eyes of his God and his country, but as a chore. These themes are implemented very well in the film by Stanley Kubrick.

   A Clockwork Orange takes the macabre genre, mixes in comedy, adds in brilliant characterization, interesting themes, and perfect cinematography to create a strange concoction that I can guarantee is unlike any film you’ve seen before. In the end, I would suggest this film only to those of you who watch violent films rather often. An even more important condition however is that you absolutely understand dark comedy. Without a clear understanding of how crude violence can be used to portray humor, this film will likely disgust you. However, if you happen to be a fan of the Coen Brothers or even of shows like South Park, I honestly cannot recommend this film enough.