One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
One of the most groundbreaking movies of the 20th century which dealt with controversial topics that involved mental illness, lobotomy, and electric shock therapy. I have never watched a movie like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and I will probably never watch a movie quite so unique.
The movie's plot runs as follows: McMurphy, a convict, who fakes insanity and is shifted to the special ward for the mentally unstable. In this ward, he must rise up against a cruel nurse, Ratched.
To start with, Jack Nicholson's performance as McMurphy is mesmerizing; he oozes a dangerous charisma that makes the audience trust him. His character is almost mysterious as the viewer tries to determine if he truly is insane or simply suffering from an antisocial personality disorder. One scene sticks out in particular, in which McMurphy is the chance to finally escape yet the camera sticks on him for around 20 seconds. It shows this inner struggle as he cares deeply for these men. The same can be said about the movie's antagonist Nurse Ratched, played by Louise Fletcher. Without even needing to speak, Fletcher is able to level the environment around her and at the audience along with it. Nearly every scene we see Ratched in, her face is blank depicting nothing.
As a kid, I was terrified of mental illness and asylums due to the image presented to me by media. Hollywood and media, in general, has shaped insanity and mental illness into something inhumane, evil even. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest breaks all of these norms, depicting mentally ill people as actual people; people with feelings. Of course, mentally ill people can be more volatile yet they certainly aren't inhumane or evil even. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest demonstrates this with its colorful array of characters. The viewer comes to care and loves these individuals which we might have first perceived as threatening.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest depicts electroshock therapy in harsh but true lighting. The scene where McMurphy is being shocked is agonizing to watch as the camera takes a high position to emphasize the emotional drama of the scene.
What's even more intriguing is what each character represents. McMurphy represents a fight against the social norm, shown in his sexuality, freedom, and self-determination. Ratched represents society and it's oppression upon those who don't fit the social norm. Her nickname is "Big Sister", similar to Big Brother which alludes to oppressive, all-knowing authority. She is an oppressive tyrant, turning the men upon one another. It is through the Chief that we understand the system these men are pressed under. A system that takes those who don't fit or don't work, "fixes" them and makes them work for society. The reason why Chief acts dumb and deaf is to rebel against the system. He wants no part in this society and tries to protect McMurphy. Yet it is only through McMurphy does Chief find the courage to become the one that flew over the cuckoo's nest or the one who got away. The final shot of Chief running free is beautiful and like nothing, I've ever seen.
Upon finishing this movie, I read some articles discussing the true impact this movie has in the psychiatry field. It's truly amazing what film can do, particularly what one movie can do. This movie gave voice to the mistreatment of the mentally ill and revealed the true intention of psychiatry. It closely follows the Chief's view, where society uses psychiatry for its selfish purposes than to truly reform and help the mentally ill. Despite its painful ending, this movie is a must-watch, leaving the viewer with a new view on mental illness and the way we treat the mentally ill. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest depicts mentally ill people in the perfect way, as people, not animals or threats to society.
As a kid, I was terrified of mental illness and asylums due to the image presented to me by media. Hollywood and media, in general, has shaped insanity and mental illness into something inhumane, evil even. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest breaks all of these norms, depicting mentally ill people as actual people; people with feelings. Of course, mentally ill people can be more volatile yet they certainly aren't inhumane or evil even. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest demonstrates this with its colorful array of characters. The viewer comes to care and loves these individuals which we might have first perceived as threatening.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest depicts electroshock therapy in harsh but true lighting. The scene where McMurphy is being shocked is agonizing to watch as the camera takes a high position to emphasize the emotional drama of the scene.
What's even more intriguing is what each character represents. McMurphy represents a fight against the social norm, shown in his sexuality, freedom, and self-determination. Ratched represents society and it's oppression upon those who don't fit the social norm. Her nickname is "Big Sister", similar to Big Brother which alludes to oppressive, all-knowing authority. She is an oppressive tyrant, turning the men upon one another. It is through the Chief that we understand the system these men are pressed under. A system that takes those who don't fit or don't work, "fixes" them and makes them work for society. The reason why Chief acts dumb and deaf is to rebel against the system. He wants no part in this society and tries to protect McMurphy. Yet it is only through McMurphy does Chief find the courage to become the one that flew over the cuckoo's nest or the one who got away. The final shot of Chief running free is beautiful and like nothing, I've ever seen.
Upon finishing this movie, I read some articles discussing the true impact this movie has in the psychiatry field. It's truly amazing what film can do, particularly what one movie can do. This movie gave voice to the mistreatment of the mentally ill and revealed the true intention of psychiatry. It closely follows the Chief's view, where society uses psychiatry for its selfish purposes than to truly reform and help the mentally ill. Despite its painful ending, this movie is a must-watch, leaving the viewer with a new view on mental illness and the way we treat the mentally ill. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest depicts mentally ill people in the perfect way, as people, not animals or threats to society.
- GL
9 / 10
(Above) My favorite shot:
(Below) Runners-up:
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