Review of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) by Ross P — 25 Nov 2012

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" bridges the gap between fiction and reality. It's hard to believe that these actors aren't real mental patients as a dozen unique psychotic personalities are brought to life.

At first, they are just a generic group of loonies but when the camera shows each individual patient at the end, they become real people. Each character has a unique ailment and these actors take individual responsibility for revealing these ailments without directly stating a diagnosis.

Jack Nicholson is so unpredictable that it is frightening. While he deservedly took home the Oscar for Best Actor, my nomination would have gone to Sydney Lassick (playing Mr. Cheswick) who transforms from a middle-aged man to a temper-tantrum-throwing child in a matter of seconds.

The incredible atmosphere inside of the asylum develops through these conflicting personalities, from William Redford (Mr. Harding)'s well-educated superiority to Christopher Lloyd (Taber)'s profane personality, from Danny DeVito (Martini)'s delusions to Will Sampson (The Chief)'s silent but strong presence, and of course Brad Dourif (Billy)'s stuttering innocence and desire to be loved.

Louise Fletcher also took home an Oscar as the hard-hearted Nurse Ratched and Scatman Crothers adds fun amongst the madness. Even more amazing than the acting is the films ability to raise the question: "What is crazy?" It shows how one man's life can be destroyed by becoming a victim of the system "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is more than a film - it is a statement.

It deserves all of its Academy Awards and possesses some of the greatest acting that you will ever see.