#18 One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

In Summary

A film about mental illness and entrapment, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is also memorable for a compellingly charismatic central performance from Jack Nicholson.

Set largely within the small confines of a mental institute, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is the story of Randle McMurphy's attempt to evade a prison sentence by pretending to be mentally ill, only to find that life in a mental institute can be more restrictive than life prison itself.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest treats mental illness in a tender manner. While the film doesn't shy away from the ugly realities of mental illness, the mental patients are shown as three-dimensional with wants and needs just like anyone else, just that they lack the emotional fortitude to handle the real world.

Through the film's arch-antagonist, Nurse Ratched, we see the corruption of authority. At first, it seems as if McMurphy is simply pushing her buttons as he sets out to prove how 'normal' he is, however, as the film develops we learn how ruthless Nurse Ratched can be in maintaining her hold over the mental patients - even scarier, that she seems to do so with the best of intentions for her patients in mind.

In a sense, McMurphy is dealt deserved justice in being unable to escape this institution. He is a lazy, arrogant and complacent individual who thought he'd found a shortcut. However, his free spirit provides the breath of fresh air to suggest to his fellow 'inmates' that they deserve better treatment - it is truly heart-rending as McMurphy is finally ground down by the end of the film.

A Memorable Quote

Jesus, I mean, you guys do nothing but complain about how you can't stand it in this place here and you don't have the guts just to walk out? What do you think you are, for Chrissake, crazy or somethin'? Well you're not! You're not! You're no crazier than the average asshole out walkin' around on the streets and that's it.

Things You May Not Know

• Louise Fletcher - Nurse Ratched - was so disturbed by her performance in this film that she couldn't watch the film for years.
• Ken Kesey - author of the novel - refused to watch the film, even going so far as to the film's producers, due to the changes that were made from his story - in particular, that it isn't told from Chief's perspective.
• Director Milos Forman would constantly film the cast for reaction shots, often without their knowledge.

One of the Greatest of All Time?
Although small in scope, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is a great example of a film telling its story with efficiency while still allowing itself time to flesh out its themes. Furthermore, it is an excellent ensemble acting piece, aided and abetted by director Milos Forman's extensive use of reaction shots.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is a very human film.