A crazy good romp through human personalities.

Rating: 9/10 (5 December 2010)

With all the elements of a masterfully crafted film, this title does its part to expose the nature of man and the ends to which he will go and be pushed. Nicholson's role as a patient pretending to be mentally ill seems perfect for him, and he plays the part with humor, violence, and tenderness when appropriate. His antics in the institution inspire real growth and therapy for the other patients, as opposed to the iron fisted order imposed by the loathsome Nurse Ratched, who's name i found particularly appropriate as she was always manipulating the patients. I found her strangulation to be particularly satisfying, no doubt a product of the great performances and writing of the film. Aesthetically not too much caught my eyes from an artistic point of view, although certain scenes, like the fishing scene and the closing scene with the chief walking over the hills as a silhouette, were done with profound meaning. Overall this film works as a commentary and study into the lives of some mentally unstable people, and shows the cycle of craziness begetting craziness.