| A Clockwork Orange |
1971 |
Role: Joe the Lodger
Here's what someone on a Kubrick newsgroup had to say about Francis as Joe:
"The use of minor characters in Kubrick films also is very interesting
to examine. Take, for example, Clive Francis as Joe (The Lodger) in
ACO... A while ago there was a thread on
Julian from ACO. The Lodger is also an important character. Just
listening to his dialogue, he seems very reasonable. All of the things
he says are straight-up. Even his comments on Alex�s behavior are to
be expected. On paper, he�s a nice guy... looking after Alex�s
parents, steady job (a contract it is, we can�t very well turn him
out now, can we?... Does it matter to you that I have signed a
contract, a letter of agreement, and that my employers have placed
complete trust in me?..."). But, the way Kubrick has him portray the
character, he turns into a hovering, clingy nuisance. We feel sympathy
for Alex and only contempt for Joe. Kubrick is a master of
manipulation. The Lodger is one small example of this." |
