This film must be seen as an allegory

Rating: 10/10 (20 May 2006)

This film is much more then meets the eye.It's an allegory about freedom, individualism, and will being intimidated by the system. The asylum is the world, and the hospital staff represents the authority.Which (despite first belief) is not negative.It's just a form of control, being seen from the rebel's view becomes negative.BUT,keeping a cold shoulder,there is no evil or despotic act being taken by nurse Ratchet.She acted just as any authority would in order to keep control,trying to please majority(for example the "vote for world series" scene).An important plot-point of the movie is when McMurphy finds out that most of the loonies are free to walk anytime, but,although unsatisfied,they prefer to remain within the asylum.Just as people in real life, prefer cold-rusty-confort, fearing a change.There are two rebels, but total-opposite types, hwo deny the system in their own way.One is McMurphy, the revolt-rising-rebel,a man of action,a lover of life (with all it's flaws & vices),that's motto is "at least I tried". And the other is "Chief" Brandon,the quiet-rebel, that locked himself away from the world.That's why the two become friends. McMurphy tries to set a change, and soon becomes a sort of spiritual leader and model for the rest of the group, threatening Ratchet's control.He is off-course put at ease, because in the end, "the system" will always reprime the individual. An excellent allegory it is! 10 out of 10!