Brilliant

Rating: Null/10 (21 April 2005)

One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest must be regarded as one of the best films of the 70s, if not all time. Jack Nicholson is at his absolute peak as Randle, the film's lead character. The film revolves around a pyschiatric ward and captures the sheer brutality that used to be witnessed in such places. The supporting cast is outstanding, very believable performances coming from those playing patients. Danny De Vito especially is very convincing in his portrayal of somebody with mental difficulties. Nicholson steals the show however as the wisecracking con trying to fake a mental illness in the mistaken belief that the ward will be easier than prison. The first half of the film is very upbeat and entertaining, the second sees things unravel spectacularly, leading to a very sad ending. There is nothing wrong with One Flew, its everything that a film should be. Rather than taking the usual Hollywood cop-out of a schmaltzy happy ending the film tries something much more rewarding. Full marks to all involved with the picture, its a credit to movie-making.