Review of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) by Robert H — 23 Mar 2012

This film is one of the few that can truly be described as a masterpiece and a classic. It is completely flawless. It boasts great acting from everyone involved, no matter how small the part and terrific direction by veteran Milos Forman. Even though the subject matter is grim, it is immensely enjoyable and never ages. It's no wonder that it it is one of three films to win all five major Academy Awards-Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture.

The story centers on Randle P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), a trouble-maker who insists he is crazy, but may just be pretending in order to avoid having to work. Upon his arrival at the hospital, he meets the head doctor, a very colorful group of guys that become his friends, a couple of which are Danny Devito and Christopher Lloyd, and one of the most evil and well-played characters in film history, Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). Immediately, Randle begins to challenge the status quo and really rocks the boat. This includes taking the guys out to go fishing and throwing a party by bribing the nightwatchman (Scatman Crothers, who also starred with Nicholson in The Shining). Randle befriends a very tall Native American man who never speaks, and Randle inspires him to break out and gain his freedom. None of the characters are ever the same again.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest has one of the oldest themes in existence. An outsider arrives in an isolated place where the routine has always been the same, challenges the established order, and changes the lives of everyone he encounters. We never find out much about Randle or his motivation, making him all the more intriguing.