O Lucky Man reviews
Review by on 26 Sep 2010
O LUCKY MAN follows in its predecessor’s footsteps by reworking and maturing themes of deep social and political corruption and anti-establishment morals that were so central in IF, five years before. The story follows Mick Travis’ (McDowell) surreal and passionate journey, up, down, and all around, as a coffee salesman, who is also easily distracted. In contrast to IF, the naivety of the care free sixties has disappeared, and has moved onto the 1970s. People begin to escape their social class status; women gain a more predominant role in society, and people get away with things less, and suffer the consequences. The three hour long, narrative structure is intriguing and keeps you on your toes as you wait for the story to unfold and bring new, awkward and random experiences for Travis. The film is an allegory for capitalism, featuring plenty of comic moments and a plentiful soundtrack to say the least. Follow the unique, closely layered story, which is definitely worth a watch, and something to smile about.
Harriet Roffey
Harriet Roffey
Review by on 26 Sep 2010
Just like its predecessor IF, upon leaving the cinema and pondering what I’d just witnessed, I asked myself two questions; (a) did I enjoy that? (b) Just what was that all about? Unable to properly answer either I realised that’s the beauty of Lindsay Anderson’s creations - he’s a smarter filmmaker than I’ll ever be a film-viewer.
O LUCKY MAN!, a 1973 British comedy, follows the somewhat unstructured journey and return from IF, of Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell) as he gradually abandons his principles in order to succeed in a capitalist society. Anderson’s use of black comedy manages to successfully reflect the social, political and economic corruption of the times with a sense of wit and absurdity. However at nearly three hours long one must be patient!
O LUCKY MAN! is not easy viewing; it’ll keep your brain swelling and churning from start to end in a frantic effort to understand its meaning. That, however, is what I think makes it special, and in my eyes a British classic. It promises you hours of post-film digestion and manages to ambiguously drop elements into the shots you’ll still be questioning hours later.
The defining moment for me is when Travis is told “The species will be lucky to survive beyond the year 2010.” I think we can agree that the species is still alive in the year 2010, and in my view so is Lindsay Anderson’s legacy.
Catriona Hay
O LUCKY MAN!, a 1973 British comedy, follows the somewhat unstructured journey and return from IF, of Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell) as he gradually abandons his principles in order to succeed in a capitalist society. Anderson’s use of black comedy manages to successfully reflect the social, political and economic corruption of the times with a sense of wit and absurdity. However at nearly three hours long one must be patient!
O LUCKY MAN! is not easy viewing; it’ll keep your brain swelling and churning from start to end in a frantic effort to understand its meaning. That, however, is what I think makes it special, and in my eyes a British classic. It promises you hours of post-film digestion and manages to ambiguously drop elements into the shots you’ll still be questioning hours later.
The defining moment for me is when Travis is told “The species will be lucky to survive beyond the year 2010.” I think we can agree that the species is still alive in the year 2010, and in my view so is Lindsay Anderson’s legacy.
Catriona Hay
Film details
O Lucky Man
Director: Lindsay Anderson
Actor: Malcolm McDonald
Actor: Ralph Richardson
Actor: Rachel Roberts
Actor: Malcolm McDonald
Actor: Ralph Richardson
Actor: Rachel Roberts
United Kingdom, 1973.
174 mins. English
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