"A Clockwork Orange" - An Analysis Film Review by Metro

"A Clockwork Orange" - An Analysis
A look at the political warnings in Stanley Kubrick's film "A Clockwork Orange."
# 151828 | 1,924 words | 5 sources | MLA | 2012 | NZ
Published on Oct 11, 2012 in Film (Analysis, Criticism, Etc.)


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Description:

This paper analyzes what are considered the political messages in Stanley Kubrick's film "A Clockwork Orange." In particular, the paper focuses on Kubrick's use of costume and color to convey the film's ideological perspective. According to the paper, Kubrick's message was that any attempt at creating a "better society" through the control and suppression of that society's population undermines the original goal. The paper notes that this concept is exemplified in the costumes of the characters, which seem unfamiliar to the audience. Additionally, the paper discusses how the film's extreme or ironic use of color is used to show those who are not under control or influence of the government. The paper also suggests that "A Clockwork Orange" resonates with notions that Kubrick is not only trying to warn us about the possibilities of the future, but also that the quest for any kind of utopian society cannot be achieved without flaws.

From the Paper:

"One of the effective formal features which contribute to the ideological perspective of A Clockwork Orange is Kubrick's choices of costume for his characters'. The beginning of the film immediately presents to the audience Alex and his droogs in attire which is incredibly unfamiliar to us; they wear what look to be white fishing waders with jock-straps over top, combined with formal hats and shirts. Kubrick immediately starts out by presenting to us an unfamiliar fashion, and therefore the audience immediately assume that this is not our society nor is it our culture; the costume disassociates us from the world of Clockwork, allowing for us to instead focus our attention on the ideology being presented to us. It is not just Alex and the droogs whose costumes appear unfamiliar to us though, for the first image we get of Alex's mother shows her in a purple wig, with knee high yellow socks and a 'pvc' short cut dress; something one would not expect of a woman in her late 50s. However, the effectiveness of Kubrick's choices in costumes is not able to be fully appreciated until the two opposites are contrasted."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Bordwell, David, and Thompson, Kristin. Film Art: An Introduction 9th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010
  • Corrigan, Timothy. A Short Guide to Writing About Film 7th ed. New York: Pearson Education, Inc, 2010
  • Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc, 1969
  • Kubrick Stanley, et al. A Clockwork Orange. Time Warner Inc: Warner Bros. Pictures, 1972
  • Orwell, George. Nineteen Eighty-Four. London: Klett Ernst /Schulbuch, 2007

Cite this Film Review:

APA Format

"A Clockwork Orange" - An Analysis (2012, October 11) Retrieved December 02, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/film-review/a-clockwork-orange-an-analysis-151828/

MLA Format

""A Clockwork Orange" - An Analysis" 11 October 2012. Web. 02 December. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/film-review/a-clockwork-orange-an-analysis-151828/>

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