A Clockwork Orange (Stanley Kubrick 1971) UK, USA

Reviewed by Lulu Yamaguchi. Viewed at Santa Barbara Film Festival.

　This movie is strange but then great at the same time. Even though this movie is shown in 1971, modern art-like fascination is still beyond current movies. The opening scene is guys dressed white with a black silk hat and a creepy smile. They are in a room filled with sexual sculptures.  The impression of seeing the scenery is just weird but at the same time, the film succeeds of catching audience’s attention.

I guess It’s unnecessary to explain about the story since it’s classic widely known film.

Somewhat, It reminds some other movies.

A first film pops up in my mind was The Shining( Stanly Kubrick, 1980)
This is a story about one guy who lost his mind while he stays in isolated hotel in Colorado.

Look at his face in this picture. There’s the same insanity in Alex (A Clockwork Orange) and Jack (The Shining). I haven’t watch other Stanly Kubrick works but I guess this is his style.

Phantom of the Paradise( Brian de Palma, 1974)

It is a parody of very famous musical Phantom of the Opera. Since Phantom of the Paradise and Clockwork Orange are shoot in 70′ these film has common senses of visual. Nowadays, both Brian De Palma and Stanly Kubrik are very huge but then Brian De Palma might get inspiration from his work.

Actually I’m fan of him.

Snake Eyes (Brian De Palma, 1998)

This is a story about one guy who is corrupt policeman.One day he involved an assassination of secretary.. He uncovers plot. This film is studded mysterious scenes.  Audience may not be able to understand what these scene means. Specially the end of the film, end roll come up. The camera slowly focus to something blaze on a wall. you will find it’s jewelry. These scenes leads audience to watch the film again to figure out what the meaning.

I think Clockwork Orange also has same effect. It is like that something from film stay in my mind and keep complaining me and there is only one way to answer the complaining is watch the film again.

A definition of good movie is depend on person. Even though, it is great performance of actors, well-written screenplay, smoothly editing,  epic cinematography or touched sound effect, we forget it if the film couldn’t leave something in audience’s mind. I felt A Clockwork Orange is disgusting because it is too violence. but It succeed to stay in my mind. then I must admit the truth it is a great movie.