Symmetrical scenes are kept to a minimal in A Clockwork Orange.  Instead the composition of the scenes are often a chaotic mix of close ups, asymmetrical framing techniques and rapid camera movement.  Kubrick uses these filming techniques to convey the madness and insanity of the characters and the society.  However, Kubrick employs the use of symmetrically framed scenes to imply the shift from a balanced environment to one of chaos.

The opening scene of A Clockwork Orange instantly suggests Kubrick’s contrast between symmetry to asymmetry to describe Alex’s madness and deviant behaviour.  The scene is shot straight on, Alex at the centre.  The viewer immediately perceives the perfect symmetry of his face and body.  However, Alex has altered the natural balance, placing black eyelashes on his right eye only.  The viewer is immediately aware that Alex is not normal and is disturbed by the variation.

Kubrick also uses symmetry to introduce feelings of calm into a scene.  The harmony implied by the symmetrical composition is quickly altered by Alex’s introduction into the scene. Examples of this contrast are seen before Alex breaches the writer’s house.  The wife is doubled in the mirror.  The ensuing rape scene is composed chaotically with rapid motion and asymetrical framing, contrasting the balance of the initial shots. The technique is used again when we are introduced to the old woman. While she is practicing yoga, Kubrick places her balanced body in the centre of the shot. The shot is also extended to imply the calmness of the balanced scene. Again the character is quickly thrown off balance and out of symmetry as Alex begins his attack.

Allison Janes, 2008