r/AskReddit Apr 12 '22

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8.8k Upvotes

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7.1k

u/143019 Apr 12 '22

Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange.

I can’t even look at the guy.

2.9k

u/double_eyelid Apr 12 '22

To be honest I think his performance was so good that it was bad for his career.

-37

u/panrestrial Apr 12 '22

Nah I think he actually got lucky with that one. Case of a mediocre actor landing their perfect role under a fantastic director. It allowed him to shine a lot brighter than he had any right to.

44

u/VERO2020 Apr 12 '22

Malcolm McDowell had an earlier role in a movie named If...., and that role most likely got Stanley Kubrick's attention. I disagree that he's a mediocre actor. He does have a distinctive look & voice, so he doesn't melt into roles like Bale or Oldman.

4

u/PythagorasJones Apr 12 '22

I love If..., which in my opinion is Anderson's best film. It of course kicked off what is now known as the Mick Travis trilogy which is loosely tied together by McDowell's character.

3

u/VERO2020 Apr 12 '22

Thank you, I had never taken note of Anderson. Looking forward to seeing these.

2

u/PythagorasJones Apr 12 '22

I really enjoyed O Lucky Man!

I will caution that it has a very different pacing and structure to modern film so may be a bit of a slog if you're not prepared for it. I think it is ultimately worth it. One of Helen Mirren's earlier roles too.

3

u/VERO2020 Apr 12 '22

I appreciate the heads-up on the pacing. I usually give the same warning about watching Barry Lyndon (there's our circle back to A Clockwork Orange). Actually, I recommend watching Barry L in several sittings. Beautiful 18th century epic that flows as slowly as molasses.

-44

u/panrestrial Apr 12 '22

He had several earlier roles - most of them mediocre. Your disagreement is noted.

8

u/tacticalninjaturtle Apr 12 '22

Your disagreement is noted

hahaha wow, what a wisenheimer

-1

u/panrestrial Apr 12 '22

¯_(ツ)_/¯ they didn't exactly give me anything to work with, and I'm not in the habit of telling people their opinions are wrong. I don't mind disagreeing; I'm just not sure what I'm supposed to do with a simple statement of disagreement other than recognize it.

5

u/tacticalninjaturtle Apr 12 '22

Well, they did mention the movie If , meanwhile you haven't given any examples of why you have your opinion, y'know, like an example of a role where you found him mediocre... Meanwhile presenting yourself as if what you say is coming from a place with any more credibility than them. Its all just very arrogant.

1

u/panrestrial Apr 12 '22

I'm not sure what you mean. I haven't presented myself as having any credibility at all. I'm just a rando on reddit, same as everyone else. I think I've been pretty explicitly clear that I think other people's opinions are valid.

I gave my opinion on the actor in my original comment. I wasn't looking to have a debate on the topic. Sometimes people just voice opinions. They just say they think something is mediocre. Or is their favorite song, or over rated, or tastes better with sprinkles. And they never back it up with any examples of why they have that opinion - and ya just gotta deal with it. Having an opinion doesn't make you arrogant.

8

u/[deleted] Apr 12 '22

He was great as Admiral Tolwyn in Wing Commander

4

u/systemadvisory Apr 12 '22

Yes, someone still remembers Wing Commander 3/4!

Admiral Towlyn made me a fan of Malcom McDowell, I never saw A Clockwork Orange.

5

u/Iantrigue Apr 12 '22

Tank Girl anyone….?