hypnotic and complex -brilliant!

Rating: Null/10 (30 December 2003)

This hypnotic film is wonderfully layered and ambiguous when it concerns theme. Nicholson is terrific (obviously, need one more movie junkie say that?). Danny DeVito really flaunts his acting skills here, giving us an undeniably memorable character with Martini. I was also surprised by Chris Lloyd, and Louise Fletcher is absolutely horrifying/terrific in this role.

The writing is top-notch; no subplot or suggestion goes unanswered. Every bit of dialogue, every irrational/mentally ill action seems strangely to fit. You can take from this movie what you will - see it as an attack on the inadequacies of the mental health system, a statement on what qualifies freedom, an inspiring tale, a depressing turn of events, a reflection on the chained and perhaps tainted human condition. It is all of these at once, and that is the beauty of it.