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Part of me is okay with that because I believe the purpose is to give you a sense of how Alex thinks as only film can. The free form anarchy that goes on in the head of a sociopath probably should be disorienting. Plus, if we’re to believe the outrageously barbaric punishment he eventually receives for his crimes, it’s important to establish the equally outrageous and barbaric nature of Alex’s criminal mind. I guess if you’re into morbid humor and are culturally somewhat liberal, you’ll probably understand Kubrick’s approach. But if you don’t and you’re not, it’ll probably just freak you out.

It’s not that I’m under the impression Kubrick made this film - or any film - for mass consumption. But he had an uncompromising sense of artistic vision, and that kind of thing can often insulate you from good advice. He seemed surprised by the intense scrutiny this film received, and like a lot of brilliant people he decided the reason was that everybody was against him. It couldn’t be that he made a miscalculation and his need to innovate obscured his message. It couldn’t be that the tone of his film was too brazen for many people to find it anything but offensive.

I can handle it, but if most casual moviegoers can’t. But if you haven’t already seen A Clockwork Orange, don’t let that sentence scare you off. Besides, from what I’ve said, I think you already know whether you’re the kind of person who could sit through this film or not. If you’re still reading this, I think when you watch this film you’ll see a disturbing, but thought provoking commentary on criminal justice and personal freedom. And if you’re still watching by then, I thnk you’ll agree Kubrick nailed the ending. The book contained one last chapter that made for a softer finish, compromising the tone of the book. The film benefits from the implications it leaves you with. Incidentally, one of them is that you’ll never be again able to listen to “Singin’ in the Rain” without snickering and hating yourself at the same time.

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