There are the insane...and then those that pretend to be insane. (One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (DVD))

Member Name: Jessica_Hayley

Product:	One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (DVD)
Date:	17/02/09 (374 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb acting, witty script, hilarious amusing, yet tragic and important underlying messages.

Disadvantages: None to think of.

One Flew Over the Cookoo's Nest is one of the most iconic American films of all time. This film was adapted from Ken Kesey's 1962, best-selling novel. It is set in an authentic mental hospital which perfectly reflects the mundane predictability of the patients' everyday lives. Jack Nicholson plays the ostentatious protagonist with much zeal, winning him the Oscar for Best Actor. Nicholson plays a wise-guy anti hero called McMurphy, who causes much amusing turbulence to the quiet and dull atmosphere of the asylum. McMurphy encourages the patient's to fight against the drudgery of the asylum that the Nurses have condemned them to and to stand up for their own free will. However, like most rebels, his incessant acts of self expression angers those that are in power and he gets into more trouble than he bargained for.

The white- washed walls and the emptyness of the hospital, creates the dull, sterile ambience of a hospital and perfectly sets the scene for the patients' monotonous routine of lining up to take their medicine. Their lower status' are clearly defined by the barrier between them and the indifferent, cold Nurses. Meanwhile, a hand-cuffed McMurphy is being escorted into the asylum after being admitted by a prison-work farm for erratic, aggressive behaviour. However, it is assumed that he has been 'faking it' in order to escape the oppressive conditions of the work- farm. McMurphy rejoices when the hand-cuffs are removed which act as a symbol for his 'freedom'. The irony is of course is that these new authoritative figures also have power over his very existence. The director, Czech Milos Forman, states how the asylum acts as an extended metaphor for the Soviet Union. The patients symbolise the silent victims whilst McMurphy represents the rebellious protester in his quest for freedom against the overpowering Establishment. McMurphy's perpetual protesting of the manipulative powers around him and the inmates acceptance of it, perfectly symbolises the lack of people in this world who challenge authority. His character is truly awe-inspiring.

McMurphy begins to condemn the Nurses' formal therapy sessions and her adamant persistence in keeping to an objective, structured day, often ignoring the subjective needs of her patients. The formal objectivity of the therapy sessions lead the inmates to feel even more distressed; especially when Billy is confronted about his suicide. The actress Louise Fletcher, immerses herself into the reserved and emotionless persona of Nurse Ratched. Her cold performance and the inmates distant responses, perfectly demonstrate that the ignoring of subjective opinions and emotions of an individual only further propells them into a world of isolation. On the other hand, McMurphy's flamboyant personality adds excitement to the patients' lives. With great amusement, he shows them how to play poker and tries to teach a deaf and dumb Indian how to play basketball. Essentially, McMurphy treats them like human beings rather than animals and connects to them in a way the Nurses never have. It teaches us that accepting out insuperior roles and not questioning the corrupt powers above us will only lead to an unfulfilled life. However, their dull lives and stunted imaginations soon thrive from McMurphys wild rebellions. His outlandish behaviour even sees him hijacking the patients bus and taking them on a fishing trip. Coming back with gigantic fish proves a successful attempt to show them what momentous things they could be capable of outside the hospitals trap. It is truly heart-warming to see the patients' progress throughout the film and we start believing their is hope for them. However, McMurphys precarious escapades and perpetual rebellions lead to the most devastating consequences.

What follows is the inevitable downfall of the anti-hero. We admire his passion in helping the inmates but come to the cruel reality that outspoken people are usually punished for their questioning of authority. His rebellious acts lead to severe punishments including electo-shock therapy. Furthermore, the Nurses ignore the fact McMurphy has helped his inmates to regain their latent emotions and sense of power and merely sees them as breaking the rules. The inmates then suffer as a results of Nurse Ratched's rancorous rage that they followed McMurphys rebellious acts. The worst part is that he believed he would be released shortly, only to realise that the Nurse decides his fate. He deeply regrets the mischief he has caused and begins to submit to her authority. By this time, however, he has become the leader for the other patients, and they are deeply confused when he stops standing up for them. What follows is McMurphey's excruciating battle between justice and survival which builds up to one hell of an explosive climax. It is truly one of the best endings to a film you will ever see, leaving you paralysed to your seat, questioning the unjust, corrupt world that we live in.

The witty script and hilarious obscure characters will have you laughing through the whole film. Jack Nicholson's performance is truly engaging, propelling us into extreme laughter and at times, deep sadness. Under the humorous veneer lies a tragic story of a mans fight for human rights. It is a truly classic film and will always remain one of my favourites.

A REFLECTION
The importance of laughter is a refrain throughout the film. McMurphys laughter was probably the first genuine laughter heard within the hospital for years. Noticing that the inmates inactiveness and dull lives are propelling their depression, McMurphy attempts to bring a bit of happiness to their lives where laughter proves a defence mechanism against an oppressive, unjust society. It acts as a reflection on all out lives and says that anyone who can't laugh, will have no chance of happiness and survival. The inmate Billy, had a tyrannical and disparaging mother, who in effect induced him with an extreme lack of confidence and a distressing stutter. He committed himself to the asylum in a desperate attempt for escapism. However, in McMurphys wild adventures, Billy finally feels free to be himself and laughter becomes his physical and psychological recovery; increasing his self confidence whilst even miraculously diminishing his stuttering. McMurphy acts as a device to symbolise the realisation in us all, that traumas are inevitable, and there will always be people with status-quo attitudes who will want to bring you down; but that we have to oversee this and focus on what is important in our lives. Laughing is the key to ultimate freedom, as unhappiness will only trap you to the perpetual insanity of the world. (And god knows we don't want to end up in a loony bin like those guys!)

The patients minds were as sterile as the hospital walls they were bound within. If this film is to teach us a fundamental lesson, it is that we should live each day to the full. Once you become immersed within the drudgery of work and routine, you minds will begin to lack imagination and life as well as the lives you are leading.

Summary: Truly an unforgetable film.