Monday, March 12, 2007

And another thing!

I've just gone back and read the other mutants' reviews on Clockwork Orange and some of the remarks in the comments/Didja Notice? section.

I suppose what's found in this film could be called "phallic imagery," but usually when we use that phrase we mean it's symbolic or metaphorical - i.e., something in the film that resembles a phallus without actually depicting it. There's a LOT of this in another Kubrick film, Dr. Strangelove. What's in Clockwork Orange isn't that. What's in this movie is a whole bunch of very literal depictions of penises on popsicles, sculptures, paintings, and other objects. There's plenty of yonical imagery ditto.

And all of it more or less vanishes when Alex goes through the treatment he undergoes - not a really subtle way to indicate he's been emotionally neutered.

but then, it's not a really subtle movie.

No comments: