O Lucky Man! -1973
Director Lindsay Anderson
Starring Malcolm McDowell, Ralph Richardson, Helen Mirren
Scott’s Review #1,174
Reviewed September 1, 2021
Grade: A-
O Lucky Man! (1973) is a satirical black comedy that mixes musical numbers with a message about capitalism from the driven protagonist. Like a great fine wine, the film has aged well and is still relevant decades later.
The film is a slow build, but by the end of its nearly three-hour running time, I was enamored and hummed the title song repeatedly.
I’m still humming it as I write this review.
It is suggested that O Lucky Man! be watched in two or three segments for full appreciation. One sitting would be incredibly tough, since some of the events require reflection and thought.
An ambitious young British man, Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell), is determined to be successful at all costs. Debuting as a coffee salesman, Mick is quickly promoted within his company. Events take a series of bizarre turns when a military agency abducts Mick.
Later, he becomes smitten with the gorgeous Patricia (Helen Mirren) and winds up working for her father, sinister executive Sir James Burgess (Ralph Richardson). As Mick’s tale continues, his experiences get progressively stranger.
The clever aspect is that just when you think Mick’s life is dour and drab, he rebounds more successful than ever. Hence the title of the film. So, there is an element of adventure and romance amid the capitalist plot.
Lindsay Anderson, who directed O Lucky Man!, re-casts McDowell again in the same role he first played as a disaffected public schoolboy in his first film performance in If… (1968).
I did not realize this when I watched O Lucky Man!, and I think this knowledge would have made me catch on to the events and subtext even more.
Now, I need to rewatch If…
I did, however, ruminate constantly on McDowell’s other iconic role in A Clockwork Orange (1971) as Alex. The characters are quite similar, save that Alex is a juvenile delinquent rather than a rising corporate guy like Mick.
This is in large part due to McDowell’s looks and acting style. His trademark sneer and bright blue eyes make him mesmerizing in both roles.
I even spotted an actor who played one of the infamous droogs!
A plus for the film is that several actors appear in multiple roles, some of whom are difficult to distinguish. Part of the fun is trying to figure out who’s who.
There isn’t a whole lot of chemistry between McDowell and Mirren, but it’s interesting to see the shifting characteristics of the characters.
And Patricia is fascinating. When she asks why people work so hard for things instead of just taking them, we realize she places no value on things because she’s never had to work for them. She’s a rich daddy’s girl.
There are reasons not to like her, but I still did. When she winds up in a homeless lot, it’s shocking. And I also loved the character of Mick and his epic journey. He is imprisoned and then reformed in a humanistic way, just like Alex was in A Clockwork Orange.
But the best part of O Lucky Man! is the music. Anderson takes periodic breaks from the drama to treat his audience to a musical number, performed by Alan Price.
It’s comforting to sit back and enjoy the unforgettable tunes that pepper the film. One could argue that the songs almost usurp the main action, but I found them to be great companions to the other.
As if there was any doubt, the soundtrack was widely lauded and was a huge financial success.
A surreal effort, sometimes happy or tragic but always insightful and oftentimes delightful, McDowell, Price, and Anderson are at the top of their respective games.
O Lucky Man! (1973) is a terrific watch, brimming with good juices if one has the patience to let events marinate.
