One of the very few films where.. - A Clockwork Orange (1972) Discussion

[–] ShitakiMushroom (221) 2 years ago

Great point! I guess it's a case of being overshadowed by Stanley Kubrick. You're right though, Malcolm McDowell probably should've gotten more praise. Since I wasn't alive at the time this movie was made and released, I can't say for sure if he wasn't recognized for his great work, but from how it's appreciated now, I think you're probably right.

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[–] ebhaynz (3689) 2 years ago

It was a perfect concoction of a director in his prime, perfect casting, and a book that was really a ready made screenplay. Most great movies have 3 or 4 iconic scenes, ACO has 10 or 20.

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[–] Puvwall (1387) 2 years ago

Actors in space odyssey 2001 i think nail it too. And they are also a bit unsung

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[–] DancingintheDark (1674) 2 years ago

Agreed.

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[–] CalvinJarrett (464) 2 years ago

Disagree. The space ship and space, itself, were the stars of the show. The humans (actors) were just along for the ride. That being said, their wooden performances fit the screenplay perfectly.

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[–] Puvwall (1387) 2 years ago

Good take

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[–] ElizabethJoestar (946) 2 years ago

It's hard to imagine this film working as well without McDowell. And his contributions go beyond performance. He was the one who came up with the "Singin' in the Rain" bit when the original conception wasn't working.

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[–] SamNoyoun (5881) 2 years ago

Really? I did not know that...And I fully agree with your first point!

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[–] SamNoyoun (5881) 2 years ago

Very true!

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[–] CalvinJarrett (464) 2 years ago

Really? I did not know that Malcom MacDowell did not get credit for the role. I always admired his work in A Clockwork Orange. And as much as I like his other work, I feel this is his best performance. Did the public not acknowledge his talent at the time (1971)?

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[–] ebhaynz (3689) 2 years ago

He didn't get much praise but Kubrick got all sorts of award nominations(BAFTA, Academy Awards, Directors Guild, Golden Globes). About 10 years later Gene Siskel mentioned on Sneak Previews that Malcom should have received a lot more praise for his outstanding performance. Yes, in the end it made Malcom McDowell's career but if anybody deserved a best acting award it was him, and then 10 years later Paul Newman also got robbed as he should have won best actor for The Verdict.

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[–] CalvinJarrett (464) 2 years ago

Yeah, too bad for Paul 1982 was all about Ghandi. But that was a great performance from Paul Newman. It is possible that the closing argument which many see as Paul's crowning achievement in that film was not a real 'closing argument' that you would hear in a wrongful death suit in a civil court of law. It was great from a Hollywood perspective, but from a trial advocacy point of view, he wouldn't have won (or 'his verdict' may have been appealable).

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