"If he's crazy, then what makes us?"

Rating: 9/10 (21 August 2008)

Rarely has there been a film with such a raw and unnerving atmosphere than ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST. This film is one which truly deserves the Big Five Oscars , including Best Picture of 1975. I picked it up just to see how good it is, and in a positive fashion, got more than I bargained for.
Based on Ken Kesey's lauded novel, Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) is a small time crook who thinks he can get out of work in prison by pretending to be crazy. However he is sent to a mental institution, where the head nurse is more of a dictator than a regular one, and is behind him every step of the way.
What I like most about the film is the chemistry between the actors. And Jack Nicholson clearly shows off his talent here. His portrayal of McMurphy is close to perfection, as his character displays more moral values than most of our politicians in real life. From his inspirational talk to Chief, to heated "meetings" with the nurse, Nicholson becomes an acting tour-de-force to be reckoned with, and his Best Actor win for this film solidifies my point. Without him, the movie may be a failure.
Another crucial point of the film is the main antagonist, Nurse Ratched, played chillingly to the bone by veteran Louise Fletcher. Sure, this small-size female may be soft-toned, but beware, she has the leer of a king cobra and will spurt out personal questions relentlessly towards weak-minded people to get her dictatorial ways. The fact that she is evil is how cold and insensitive she is towards her patients, especially during therapy sessions. Fletcher also deserves her Oscar.
The supporting characters don't have much to say here - we see a pre-BACK-TO-THE-FUTURE Christopher Lloyd (Doc Emmett Brown) in a scene-stealing role as an aggressive mental patient, Danny DeVito as an annoying OCD-like dimwit, and Brad Dourif in a mesmerizing and more sensitive role than his later effort, the killing doll Chucky in CHILD'S PLAY. Will Sampson, however, plays his character Chief with conviction. For a tall and mean-looking giant, he practically has some moral values of his own, yet he doesn't disclose them. However, the whole movie is about McMurphy's feud with Ratched and how it affects everyone around them.
The direction is solid, if not slow paced. Best Director winner Milos Forman directs with passion in mind. His direction is crisp and full of sublimity, which gives the film a sort of distinct beauty to it. The dialogue scenes are gripping, and characterization is fully realized with this. The cinematography as well is great, the mental hospital looks grim and eerie and boring at the same time. The music is well-handled, as most of the music appears during the therapy scenes. And of course, the great screenplay by Laurence Hauben and Bo Goldman, who seems to have taken every important aspect from the novel and turned it into cinematic greatness.
All-in-all, I have nothing but profound respect for this film. It's truly a real film experience, some of which you do not get today. As a film, it stand the test of time and will remain a classic for many, many others to see. I highly recommend this piece of art, but mind you, it's only for people with patience to see slow movies, so that they can indulge on the greatness much later. For now, enjoy this film.
9.9997/10
Delton