A great classic concerned with human dignity and insanity.

Rating: 9/10 (4 October 2017)

"One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" may be Milo Forman's best work to day and stands the test of time as an enduring classic about an eccentric McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) at odds with a wound up nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). If any film examines the social issues on people's minds back in 75' as well as "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest", it's grandeur should replace this one because this film takes a thorough and complex dive into insanity and its definition.
Based on the book by Ken Kesey, "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" is a fleshed out and realized story of a man who pleads insanity to get out of jail/work time and is therefore, admitted to an insane asylum. While there, he disrupts the inmates flow of order and routine and wreaks havoc on the employees with Nurse Ratched. The film tends to balance this tightrope of insanity by presenting characters we not only believe in, but somehow feel we know personally. Potentially due to incredible characterization through outstanding performances, plausible dialogue, and clear direction from Milo Forman.
"One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" features one of Jack Nicholson's best performances ever put to film; Understandably winning Jack Nicholson a "Best Actor in a Leading Role" Oscar. His electric and wildly entertaining performances however, doesn't overshadow Louise Fletcher's stern and deeply intimidating performance as a menacing, strict, and unfeeling antagonist. While both our protagonist and antagonist are clear from the beginning, the story wisely blurs that line of hero and villain by asking the audience "Who is crazy?" near the end of the film.
The film also makes a case to examine the individual consequences wrought on by mental institutions with all their imperfections. When we see images of cages, walls, and windows to represent barriers, we understand a humanistic need to break them and explore uncharted territory. Alternatively, most inmates in the asylum feel so institutionalized by said asylum which stunts further healing from whatever conditions debilitate them. So while "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" is wonderfully characterized and unified in plot right up to the end, it feels like an important film with things to say and questions to ask about insanity and what makes a person crazy.
While "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" is indeed a masterpiece of filmmaking as many lead it to believe, it isn't without its flaws. As the film draws near its end, we learn who was really changed in this story and who's story this is to tell. This was indeed a powerful narrative tool in the end which makes its climax sensical, more context and characterization for this character would've improved the ending for a more satisfying conclusion. A lot more catharsis could've been rendered if we had a chance to connect with that character more and the movie could've driven some more clearer points home to help understand why watching the film would be important regardless of time period.
Aside from the smaller negatives, "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" is an unforgettable and wonderful movie that deserves to be watched and studied as carefully as possible.