699

Modern revue-style version of _Candide_/_Decline and Fall_; very hit or miss in style and effect, and hellishly overlong, but with good things along the way.

Epic. It's as if Ben-Hur was written by Satan. Ben-Whore.

For most of it's running time I was wondering what O Lucky Man was trying to tell me. Moving from odd situation to odder situation, McDowell gaining something then losing it again.. it felt repetitive without the main character really seeming to care or learn, mostly just being pummeled by life. I enjoyed the multiple roles everyone has and the musical interludes and there's a lot of small interesting moments, but it never truly came together as a compelling viewing experience.

doesn't age well but still great fun. Malcolm kicks it.

"The movie is cynical, but contains a message which seems to be an anarchical version of optimism."

At one point in Lindsay Anderson's 3-hour picaresque epic, someone quips that humanity will be lucky to make to 2010...watching it in 2011, I find it holds up solidly for the most part. The first half is strong, but the second loses some steam and has at least one groan-inducing gag, along with an occasionally preachy tone...but the ending is a delightful slice of metafiction. Malcolm McDowell is fine as the hero, and the supporting cast is largely excellent. Alan Price's songs top it off well.

#758

A film of contradictions. Alternately brilliant and bloated, both wonderfully playful and woefully heavy-handed. At times feels remarkably relevant and at others terribly dated. Surreal and yet quite "real". At first it seems like it could be a masterpiece, but ultimately it ends up too long by at least half an hour. Overall very funny though and McDowell's performance is very charismatic and likable. However Alan Price's songs feel unnecessary and are used repetitively.

Surrealism mixed with dry British humour is an odd combination that doesn't always work, but the film has a lot more hits than misses. The constants are the thematic critique of capitalism and Malcom McDowell's charismatic performance. Overall a very strong and entertaining film, though occasionally uneven.

Irony in epic proportions. A spetacle!

# 684

Hilarious, freaky, deep film. Not to be missed

One of the weirdest, original and "free" movies I've seen.

This movie struck me as uneven. Some of its unconventionalities are quite clever or charming, others are far too arch (the blackface, the "naughty" judge) and some just seem pointless (the musical Alan Price sequences). The overwhelming cynicism would have been fresh to me as a younger man, but now I don't have much patience for it. However, the comedy helps it go down easier, and it's reasonably entertaining. What really saves it is McDowell, who has such extraordinary presence and charisma.

Great film but a messed up in the editing department. Resembles Kubrick's Clockwork Orange (this was directed after C.O.) but much more solid and tangible. Still valid critiques of modern institutions. The repetitive casting choice is brilliant, adds depth and meaning all the while emphasizing the one dimensional, monotomous aspects of personal encounters. (Supposedly based on an original idea of the main actor McDowell).

Malcolm McDowell is brilliant in this movie. It's got humor, excitement, and sometimes you're as confused as the characters are. It's a very interesting and strange story of one guy's life, and I recommend seeing it even if you haven't seen his other movie, If.... I enjoyed this movie.

Movie is fucking wacky, but boy do I love it.

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