A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess

Part 1: The Film

It took me two attempts to watch this film. The first time I was dragged away unwillingly after getting half way through it, and in all honesty I'd have given anything to stay and complete it. Because of this Clockwork Orange shall be the first film I review here, as it was one of the most thrilling, funny, and dark films I've come across in a long while. 

The film opens with an entrancing shot panning out from the main character, Alex, in the futuristic Korovo Milkbar, whilst I was captured by his inner monologue that is the films introduction. The film is not a modern one, but the lack of fancy effects and technology have no great impact on the riveting story line. 

The Nadsat language from Anthony Burgess' book is kept throughout the film, and is made a lot simpler to follow than I believe it to be in the original text. The film is absolutely stunning and opens up the mind to questions of politics, misguided youth, and the inner workings of the human mind. The intelligent use of Mise-en-Scène and imagery along with the use of classical music made a perfect balance of grim humour and thought provoking scenes. 

Definitely one to watch, but possibly not for family viewing. 

Part 2: The Book

Despite only being halfway through the book I am already enthralled with Burgess' work. His writing style is impeccable. He also makes use of a tool that a lot of writers take for granted; Language. The book is written in first person from Alex's point of view and has its own individual teen slang language known as Nadsat, a type of future teen speak. An elegant mixture of Russian words, and school boy slurs, which after two chapters I am near fluent in. 

Due to his talent with language the dialogue in A Clockwork Orange is some of the most natural I have ever read in a piece of fiction. And dialogue is often overlooked, though it can really aid the imagery and the realism of the picture any writer is trying to paint in a readers mind, and Burgess paints his pictures perfectly. 

I recommend that lovers of Sci-Fi read this book.