Brilliant critique of compelling social forces

Rating: Null/10 (20 July 2004)

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" may be read as a scathing satire, reminiscent of Orwell's "1984", as both depict a society that controls its members through enforcing and internalizing conformity. The alienating consequences for individuals in such a society are rendered brilliantly by the director, as Jack Nicholson's character fights to keep his individuality.
This film also reminds me of Gary Walkow's 1995 picture "Notes from Underground" (starring Henry Czerny and Sheryl Lee). Walkow's protagonist, like that of "Cuckoo's Nest" finds himself to be the only sane human being as far as the eye can see--his awareness of his condition renders him bitter and terrified. Both films are brilliant illustrations of alienation fostered by a society that denies individuality at the expense of a sense of "belonging" to a group.