World Famous Comics: O Lucky Man! (Two-Disc Special Edition)
O Lucky Man! (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Malcolm McDowell Directed By: Lindsay Anderson Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Warner Home Video Number of Items: 2 Region Code: 1 Release Date: October 23, 2007 Running Time: 178 minutes Theatrical Release Date: June 20, 1973
O Lucky Viewer! I saw the original release in 1973, and was blown away by it's unique style. The bizarre events surrounding a young, ambitious coffee salesman were at once fascinating and profound. It was my introduction to both Malcolm McDowell and Helen Mirren... both made an impression on me. And other things in the movie stayed with me over the 35 years between viewings, including some of the lyrics of the songs: "If you have a friend on whom you think you can rely, you are a lucky man." and "Sell, sell, sell, everything you stand for." I was 23 at the time, and a month after seeing this movie I started a new job in direct sales. On the first day I attended a meeting with the new hires and all the current salesmen for the introduction of a new product. As I entered the boardroom and looked around at the melange of faces, ages, and sizes, I remember saying to myself, "Oh my God, this is 'O Lucky Man'". In 1973 Time Magazine listed it as one of its top 10 movies of the year (but the Oscar went to "The Godfather"). I tried to find the VHS or DVD for years, and finally saw it was to be released in October 2007. I put it in my Blockbuster queue right away. But even in July 2008 Blockbuster still had it listed as "long wait" and kept sending me the next movie in my queue. After too long a time of having it skipped over, I bought it from Amazon. I should have bought several more copies and sent them to Blockbuster! If you have ever had any sort of door-to-door or other direct sales job, I highly recommend "O Lucky Man!"
Very distinctive I just saw this movie for the first time, and for me this film in its substance and style but above all in its message is very reminiscent of the works of Antonioni, in specific "Il deserto rosso" and "l'avventura". An emotional string is woven through the movie, it's surrealistic, there are lots of hidden symbolisms etc. which in a mystical way add up to the overall hyperrealistic (through surrealism!), nihilistic message; a critical potrait of the social structure human kind created in modern times. Or in essence, the everybodies world we live in which we perceive in many different ways. This is done by Anderson with a very distinctive English twist which makes this movie extra special. I don't know any Anglo-Saxon movie which can compete on the above mentioned traits with this one. Very good and a joy to watch.
Classic First time I saw this movie was over 30 years ago. This is a true classic, not just "cult classic". I consider it one ofthe best Malcolm McDovell movie, along with the "Clockwork orange", even better, because he starts as a "nice young man", not a violant hoodlam. With the score by Alan Parker of Animals, it's also a rock classic. Also, although it's surreal, but not David Lynch surreal, but more like real life is surreal. Any prson who consiers themselves well-read intellectual MUST see this - this is one of a kind - nothing is even remotely similar to it. Tanya B, NYC NY
Malcolm as a young man I saw OLM when it came out, with a young female friend who thought it stupid, but, for me, there was a visceral reaction, presumably of recognition, and a feeling that it's a great work of art.
Now, some 34 years on, as I view it, I'm amazed at its prophetic nature. The packaging and extras help a lot to fill in the gaps: they make clear the epic and the metaphorical nature of the story, and hence intellectually help me grasp why the film rings so true.
Curiously, I don't remember the sequence where Mick attempts to rescue the woman in the flat, and it is indeed a flat sequence which, along with getting rumbled by the tramps, so reminiscent of the treatment little Alex gets at about the same part of A Clockwork Orange, could well be deleted: the film is extraordinarily long, anyway.
The acting remains fresh, the film has much to say about the human condition and the juxtaposition of the band works.
Malcolm is the Man! A 3-hour musical about a traveling coffee salesman? That sounds pretty lame! BUT, it stars Malcolm McDowell, and he is in top form. Once again he plays the Mick Travis character from If. On an extended business jaunt, he runs into all sorts of whacky absurd predicaments, all of which will leave you laughing or stunned by their bizarre circumstances. This includes partying with the clientele, sleeping around with the ladies, being subjected to torture--and thats just the beginning! This movie never misses a beat, except when you have to insert the 2nd disc to finish it out. This is such a highly entertaining film, one I enjoyed even more than If. Malcolm is the Man!
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