or somesuch wrote:
:babyarm: I have it at #3, although it was really tight between ACO, EWS, and Strangelove for #3, 4, and 5. I’m kind of regretting putting it at #3 though.
I agree with your words again, but I would have liked a little more of an “answer”. Like what point are you trying to make here, Stanley? (Or Anthony - I’ve never read it) As it stands, it’s about a dude who is obsessed with sex and violence (no issues there), but there is no redemption or arc and all the things that have happened have brought us right back to where we were at the beginning. Is it about letting those in power exerting control over us? I’m not sure it gave a pro/con either way with the way they wrapped it up.
It’s still fascinating and S tier (especially for the time), don’t get me wrong. The style and visuals are mesmerizing. I’m not sure it holds up today as well as Strangelove though. Or maybe we’re just so desensitized to sex and violence in 2022 that it’s ahead of its time. Although I still struggle watching that rape scene at the Alexander’s house.
I was going to tell you that Darth Vader played the guy in the tiny shorts, but of course you already know.
I think the point is kind of that there is no clear-cut answer, or maybe that you can't control free will. Is there a way to rehabilitate someone like Alex? I just asked another question without an answer, so I'm just adding to your point. When there's big issue movies like this, I don't mind the vagueness or a movie being an inroads to a discussion on the topic. Of interest, the book has a chapter after the hospital where Alex decides to give up his evil ways. That chapter was cut out of the American publication of the novel that Terry Southern (co-writer of Strangelove) gave to Kubrick. I've read the book and always felt that chapter was so out of place. Literally Alex is just sitting there and decides to change. I know characters are supposed to grow and change but it felt so sudden and unearned. It could have been done a lot better. Would we accept him repenting and becoming good? Tangent: this was my feeling about the Three Billboards movie a few years ago. Sam Rockwell is a shit-bag racist then suddenly isn't and we're supposed to love him now. I felt the turn was way too sudden and he hadn't earned the audience love yet. Just me.
My David Prowse story: There was a store, briefly, in the Parks Mall called Starlog. One day David Prowse was there signing autographs. I brought him my slipcase of the letterboxed VHS trilogy with a half-face of Vader for him to sign. We exchange pleasantries and he goes to sign it. I tell him there's another thing inside the case, if he wouldn't mind signing it as well. He gladly agrees and he takes out my case for my VHS copy of A Clockwork Orange. He gets a big grin and tells me I made his day, that someone knows him from something other than Star Wars. I made Darth Vader's day. Holy shit. He then proceeds to tell stories about filming with Kubrick and I'm just stupid-smiling and nodding. All I remember is how he said Kubrick made him do over a dozen takes of carrying the writer down the steps and how tiring it was. Good times.