One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Milos Foreman, USA, 1975, 133 minutes

As one of only three films ever to win all five of the major Oscar categories (film, director, actor, actress and screenplay), OFOTCN (as it shall henceforth be known) comes bearing a lofty reputation. However, seldom has a film so richly deserved its classic status.

OFOTCN revolves around Randle Patrick McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), a criminal sent to prison for having sex with a fifteen year old girl. In order to escape prison, he fakes insanity in order to be transferred to the more comfortable surroundings of a mental institution. Upon his arrival, he encounters the vindictive Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher) who rules the ward with an iron grip. Thus follows a battle of wills between the two for the hearts and minds of the inmates.

A crucial component of the film is the presence of two barnstorming performances by the leads. Nicholson has never been better than here, giving one of the most charismatic performances ever committed to celluloid. Possessing boundless energy, the intensity of Nicholson’s performance glues your eyes to the screen. Within any other film, McMurphy would tower over the rest of the cast. However, OFOTCN also possesses one of the most terrifying screen villains of all time in Nurse Ratched. Louise Fletcher gives a phenomenal performance, portraying a character that is simultaneously the epitome of evil while also entirely rational and at times borderline sympathetic.

The pair are surrounded by a quite brilliant group of supporting characters, each beautifully written and all highly memorable. The film launched the careers of such renowned character actors as Christopher Lloyd, Brad Dourif and Danny DeVito, each of whom provide touching performances. However, it would be unfair to single out individual performances as the entire ensemble performs admirably. Indeed, a great strength of the film is that there simply isn’t a weak link anywhere within the cast.

This consistency extends beyond the cast to sum up the entire film. It is plain to see that, beyond any film I am yet to see, this film features every single participant at the very top of their game. The direction by Milos Forman is understated but succeeds in allowing every actor a chance to shine. The film makes excellent use of music, both within its unsettling original score and its use of classical music to reinforce the stifling conformity of institutional life. Finally, the screenplay expertly negotiates between comedy and tragedy, leading the audience through every emotion imaginable.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is quite simply flawless filmmaking. It addresses important and weighty themes with a lightness of touch which greatly increases their overall impact. Overall, this is a truly unforgettable film with a climax that will stay with you for life.

Review by Neil Henry
Written for EUFS Programme Autumn 2008

This wonderful and touching film follows Jack Nicholson’s social outcast incarcerated in a psychiatric evaluation hospital for his anti-social behaviour, and the growing fellowship that develops between him and the other inmates. Based on Ken Kesey’s groundbreaking novel, which in turn was based on the author’s experiences from working at a Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto, California, Milos Forman’s downbeat and yet surprisingly life-affirming drama certainly has a claim to being one of the greatest films ever made. One of the only three films in history to capture the top five Academy Awards in it’s vice-like grip (for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Screenplay), the other films being It Happened One Night (1934) and Silence of the Lambs (1991), it also boasts some interesting debut appearances. Brad Dourif (Oscar nominated in a supporting role as the suicidal Billy), Christopher Lloyd (most recognised as the eccentric Doc from Back to the Future) and Will Sampson (The Outlaw Josey Whales) all give sterling performances alongside the more established cast.

Blessed with a subtle humour, a great sense of humanity, and a spine-tingling theremin dominated score, Cuckoo’s Nest is a film everyone should have seen (if only so you can understand some of the Simpson parodies). Though a consummate critics darling, the film can be enjoyed by anyone, refusing to resort to overwrought dramatics in order to get it’s simple message across. If, by some malign act of a higher power, you have yet to see it now is the perfect time to do so. If you’ve already seen twenty times, well how much could one more hurt?

Review by Ben Wilkinson
Written for EUFS Programme Spring 2002