Movie Critique: THX 1138

THX 1138 is an interesting take on a very strange type of world. The theme is very strong in political and even religious ideas. The whole film is based around a society that is uniform and restricted to the individual.  Performance is more important than being your own person. Many times throughout the film we hear in the background that "Performance perfect is perfect performance."  This society however does not seem to be led by any specific individual. Everyone is suppressed by taking their drugs and nobody is allowed to stop because everyone is monitored.
The film itself seems very claustrophobic and as a viewer you feel suppressed just watching it. This however just adds to the message it contains about society as a whole. The films allegorical critique of society shows what the future might hold in a controlled environment.
The uniformity of everyone and the focus on production seems to hint toward a problem with consumerism in our world today. Focus in our nation has shifted toward the constant idea of constant buying and production. The cheaper and more efficient production is the better it is for the company. We have even subjected ourselves to cheap unethical labor in other countries. This obsession can hold a very dark future, according to THX 1138.
There is also the issue of racism that the film brings into picture. There are very few black people in the film and this is perhaps a critique on the purpose of the black race. They are subjugated to believe that they are indeed holograms instead of real people. Again this is the suppression of the individual but perhaps classifies our, then present opinion, on the black race.
Issues of religion arise in the film as the machines they talk to for personal counseling or confession are all automated and have no real relation to helping them. Yet they are reminded after their session to be productive and work hard.  Perhaps this is all they need in their emotionless state.  However, this may also be a critique on the separation of church and state. In this future, formal religion is part of the productivity of the society.
In conclusion, THX 1138 is a very depression and dark film that is presented in a bright "pleasant" manner.  While the religious and political ideas are present throughout the film, it leaves a lot of room for interpretation.  I do not believe there is a single right answer that defines the films purpose or message, rather, depending on the individuals personal stance on these issues, one can formulate their own opinion on the ideas presented. This in part is what makes the film so intelligently designed. It is full of suppressive actions on the individual, yet in the end one finds his individuality and escapes a new man. We are free already, as individuals, to make our own opinion of this film.