"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is an extraordinary piece of cinema that truly pushes the boundaries. It's a brilliant exploration of individuality, power, and sanity that defies traditional notions and weaves in philosophical concepts in a deeply captivating way.
At its heart, the film grapples with existentialist themes, most notably those of Jean-Paul Sartre and Friedrich Nietzsche. The protagonist, R.P. McMurphy, embodied impeccably by Jack Nicholson, is a quintessential existential hero. He lives life on his own terms, fiercely independent and resistant to societal norms - a manifestation of Nietzsche's "Ubermensch" or "Superman". He's a free spirit in a world that seeks to suppress individuality and conform to rigid rules.
McMurphy's struggle against the oppressive mental institution parallels Sartre's concept of "bad faith" - the idea that individuals often surrender their personal freedom to avoid the anxiety of choice and responsibility. The patients, under the rigid control of Nurse Ratched, relinquish their autonomy, preferring the safety of conformity over the risks of freedom.
The film also mirrors Michel Foucault's critique of societal institutions and their role in defining "madness". The mental institution and Nurse Ratched's tyrannical rule serve as metaphors for how society suppresses deviant behavior, labeling those who deviate from norms as "insane".
Furthermore, McMurphy's ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom resonates with the existentialist notion of "authenticity". Despite the tragic end, McMurphy stays true to his authentic self, embodying Sartre's idea that "existence precedes essence".
In sum, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is a deeply philosophical and thought-provoking film that challenges our perceptions of sanity and conformity. It is a testament to the human spirit's irrepressible desire for freedom, serving as both a cinematic masterpiece and an exploration of existential philosophy. Watch it and be prepared to question, to feel, and to think deeply.
Wonderful. An unusual movie. I liked the great escape and the exquisite yacht trip. I liked the acting. Usually that kind of overacting is horrible. But I mean they are nuts, right? I also like the quietness (and sadness) of the movie. Listening to the dialogues and observing the inner workings of such a strange institution is more than enough. It doesn't need much more.
Is there more to this movie than you might think? Maybe something like craziness is in the eye of the beholder as much as it is a quantifiable pathological condition? Is it maybe a comment on the penal system? Is it maybe a comment on lobotomy? Maybe it's just a gaga movie.
It's a solid 8/10. Some rank this movie among the 20 best movies of all time. I tend not to agree. It could have been better if I felt in any way connected to this topic and if I found cinematography, location or actors aesthetic or visually pleasing in any shape or form. It's also not an interesting portray of this historic decade (something I usually like about classic movies). I also don't understand why nurse Ratchet is such a nemesis. Can't see that she's anything more than a strict professional. Plus, something is missing to make it a great movie. Given this is a movie full of mentally ill, that's perhaps a strange thing to say, but I missed a certain element of unexpected craziness. Something magical unheard of that's only possible in the movies. Perhaps I'm too stupid to understand the magic. Still don't understand why he didn't escape after the party was over. Is there something that I'm missing?
Review by drqshadowBlockedParent2024-06-09T14:00:41Z
Sentenced to a term of hard labor, charismatic inmate Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) thinks he’s found a way to beat the system. Though he may not have fooled the staff of a nearby asylum, protocol insists they humor his pleas of insanity and he’s given a bed in their ward; out of the sun and away from the back-breaking work camp. But while he may not be busting his hump in a physical sense, Randle soon discovers that this institution has its own ways of crushing unruly subjects. Particularly those who threaten to undermine their authority.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’s most visceral story elements revolve around the fundamental discord between Nicholson’s anti-establishment loudmouth and the dominating, manipulative Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). This antithetical duo was destined to cross swords from the first frame, and their mutual disdain soon spins far out of control. Both have empathy for the other patients - McMurphy makes friends and encourages them to think for themselves, while Ratched seeks peace and conformity to better address their ailments - but really, they’re both just looking out for themselves. Where Randle intends to use the chaos as a means to escape, Fletcher’s nurse is clearly out to stroke her own ego. They orbit, collide, recoil and stiffen like a pair of wily old boxers, feinting and jabbing their way through a series of unfair mental games that go right over the heads of their poor, exploited co-conspirators. Two rich, complex characters, expertly realized by a pair of top-tier actors. Both took home well-deserved Oscars for these roles.
This powerful, multi-faceted character study touches all corners, not just those occupied by the most visible leading characters. Its subplots and side narratives are equally loaded, with a superb supporting cast that includes the film debuts of both Danny DeVito and Christopher Lloyd. Both, as one might expect, shine despite the limited exposure. The younger Lloyd is damn near unrecognizable behind his crew cut and dark, unflinching gaze. A mean, haunting, tragic comedy that promises to linger in the subconscious for days.