JohnDoe
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BrentonOne Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest (1975) - Trailer Included
February 16th 2007 06:51
One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest
As part of John Doe's ongoing Oscar series of favourite Best Pictures. Starting with All About Eve and The French Connection now JD hopes you enjoy One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest.
DVD Cover-2 Disc Special Edition
Writer:Bo Goldman & Laurence Hauben
Based on The Novel:Ken Kesey
Music:Jack Nitzsche
Starring:Jack Nicholson, Christopher Llyod, Danny DeVito, Louise Fletcher, Scatman Crothers, Vincent Schiavelli, Brad Dourif
“I just wanna see the goddamn world series” - McMurphy
A work of profound power, questioning the nature of sanity and unwilling acceptance that unique ideas and thinking are often considered socially retarded.
Heartbreaking and inspirational One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest is a human comedy that illustrates the tragedy of cultural stigmas.
“I'm not just talking about my wife, I'm talking about my LIFE, I can't seem to get that through to you. I'm not just talking about one person, I'm talking about everybody. I'm talking about form. I'm talking about content. I'm talking about interelationships. I'm talking about God, the devil, Heaven, Hell. Do you understand...? FINALLY?” – Harding
Dominating the 1975 Academy Awards ceremony, the film won all 5 big Oscars including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.
An adaptation of Ken Kesey’s controversial novel, Randal P McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) is a crass rebel, prone to violence and lacking social grace. Instead of going to prison he pleads insanity.
“They was giving me ten thousand watts a day, you know, and I'm hot to trot! The next woman takes me on's gonna light up like a pinball machine and pay off in silver dollars!” – McMurphy
Entering the serene and absurd Cuckoos nest, a mental asylum displaced within a beautiful landscape, the charismatic McMurphy begins a new revolution.
Meeting the other patients in the ward he realises most of them are no more warped than the average schmoe outside. Deciding to bring the outside world to their insular reality, awakening the desire to live life again for many who have been told they are crazy for to long.
“You're not an idiot. Huh! You're not a goddamn Looney now, boy. You're a fisherman!” – McMurphy
Working against him is hospital policy, rules that are enforced with an iron will by the disconnected Nurse Ratchet (Louise Fletcher). A villainous woman who truly believes she is helping; instead she is the catalyst creating a stagnating environment of mindless routine and endless repetition.
“Well I don't wanna break up the meeting or nothin', but she's somethin' of a cunt, ain't she Doc?” – McMurphy
You will laugh, you will cry and you will understand a little more about what it means to not just tolerate our differences but embrace them instead of categorizing and ostracizing what we don’t understand.
“Jesus Christ! D'you nuts wanna play cards or do ya wanna fuckin' jerk off?” – McMurphy
You see what happens when you don't watch Oprah, have an obsession with money and hate reality TV? You end up here!
Compassionate, evocative and overwhelming, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest brims with dark humour that surprises with its tenderness and understanding. Faultlessly acted and brewing a sense of melancholy reality that overwhelms with complex emotion and raw unflinching realism.
Shocking at times, capturing life inside a mental institution, the dehumanization is all the more believable because a lot of the extras were real patients. The cast and crew lived inside the Oregon State Mental Hospital for the majority of the shoot.
Insightful Director Milos Foreman (Amadeus, People vs. Larry Flynt, Valmont) left cameras rolling all the time in rehearsals and during down time, the actors never knew when they were being filmed. The result is a naturalistic atmosphere seldom seen on celluloid.
Well planned cinematography by Haskell Wexler (Medium Cool, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Thomas Crown Affair) has the camera as an objective observer, seldom are we aware of the manipulations it is accomplishing.
The screenplay is without equal. Intelligent, combining elements of comedy, drama, tragedy and intuitive comprehension. It never spells itself out, and is happy to leave certain questions unanswered. The big one’s like “Is Randal P McMurphy insane?” are left up to the audience.
Holding it all together is the unforgettable music by Jack Nitszche (Indian Runner, The Hot Spot, Cruisin, Hardcore, Performance), stirring the gut. Even now when I hear the tune I melt a little.
Jack Nicholson (5 Easy Pieces, Carnal Knowledge, The Last Detail, Prizzi’s Honour, the Pledge, Chinatown) had made a career of playing disconnected outsiders at the time and his performance here pulls all his abilities into one role. Before the psycho Jack demeanour became a caricature, it had energetic vigour and fresh sense of forboding.
Louise Fletcher is exceptional, making her role one of the most despised screen personas ever to grace the silver screen. The hatred JD has for this fictional character is still as ripe as the first time he saw it.
Will Sampson, Danny Devito (War of the Roses), Christopher Llyod (Back To The Future), Brad Douriff (LOTR), in fact all the cast are without fault. This what happens when actors live, breath, sleep and eat their parts. It is almost shocking how in the moment everyone is.
According to Peter Baskind's brilliant book Easy Riders, Raging Bulls. All the cast and crew were so affected by working within the walls of the institution, whenever they were set free they hit street corners trying to score dope. In the end pot had to be factored in as an expense by the producers so that there was no public embarrassment.
Losing none of its punch and retaining a mesmerizing spell all these years later, John Doe can only think of a handful of films as effecting. Difference is, few of them also manage to make you chuckle while still making you ponder the meaning of life.
The DVD:
Transfer: 1:85:1 Widescreen/Dolby Digital 5.1
Extras:Getting all the love it deserves this two disc package is a fans delight. There is a thorough making of documentary that runs nearly as long as the film. Plus we also get a commentary from the Director and Producers. Deleted scenes are also included.
The Trailer
As is quick becoming a habit here JD cant resist putting up another slice of Muppet fun. So here for your viewing pleasure is Sesame Street's Monster Piece Theatre doing One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest.
Academy Accolades
Wins
Best Picture
Best Actor - Jack
Best Actress - Louise Fletcher
Best Director - Milos Foreman
Best Adapted Screenplay - Bo Goldman and Laurence Hauben
Nominations
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Brad Dourif
Best Cinematography - Haskell Wexler
Best Editing
Best Musical Score
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
This is a film that I've seen a few times and had a huge impact on me. It's one of Jack Nicholson's best.
I haven't read your whole review yet as I'm a bit weary, but I'll do that tomorrow and make a proper comment (hopefully) then.
Byee
Comment by David
That is the best movie review I have ever read ...
That's really all that needs to be written...
But I do want to sign off as ...
Nurse RATSHIT ...
or
BIG CHIEF JUICY FRUIT MMM ... *
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
I could live my life by your posts.
Or at least do my works by them.
Norm.
If Ratchet were an Orbler who would she be?
Rhetorical.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Hope your having a good weekend.
Jack is at his extroverted best in this one, I think it is the role that defined him for me.....though the others I listed in the reveiw also had a greatness within..
Hi David,
I am speechless at your compliment.....from you I take it straight to heart, thank you for the huge confidence boost on a Saturday morning.........
Signing off as Randal P McHappy Meal
Thanks for the compliment Postmodern,
Having a looney bin located in a place with a gorgeous view is a good idea....in theory
But, if your looking through windows with steel bars and when your outside have a steel cage around you it defeats the purpose....also it really does infer that the whole institution is removed from society, not a good thing for patients looking to reassimulate......
a lazy answer I know but I will be interested to read your opinions of the film once you watch it...I think you will find a lot to appreciate in it....and could see it all completly different.
Norm,
I do not suggest living your life by my posts because sooner or later the infection will spread. Then before you know it we will all belong in the nuthouse, but wait then we could lock up the normals and throw away the key....there easy to subdue just tell them there is money inside......
BRRRRRRRIIINBGGGGGG....."Damn alarm clock....just woke me from the most beautiful dream"...
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
I have seen this brilliant, poignant, sad yet optimistic movie many times but...your review...makes me feel like I haven't seen it...makes me want to watch it.
Absolutely.
Hope you're well JD.
Dusk
Comment by Stanley
but i loved this film too and i agree with the other comments on this post. great review as always.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
You've captured all parts of the film so well. I was moved by your review and by remembering the essence of the film-the heartless dehumanising of people and the pain they feel. This is a film that says so much and you have written it so well. I'm so moved, I'm not making much sense,
Tracy
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
"your review makes me feel like I haven't seen it" , that is an incredible compliment......thats all its about making people want to revisit these masterful cinema moments....Thank You
Hi Stanley,
It is interesting that the author of the book hated the film because it wasn't told through the eyes of the cHief...Like you I dig the book too..
Hi Tracy,
I couldn't do a review for this film without getting a little personal because it has had such a major impact on me...glad I managed to emote some of my feelings onto the page..
Fantastic to see so many lovers of the movie....
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It's been years since I last saw the film and have been through things that I think will affect my viewing-I think it heighten my empathy and awareness.
Watching the extras on DVD would be fascinating as well...
Thanks for such a great review and a reminder about such things in life...
Tracy
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
One of the all time greats.
And a bloody good review to boot.
The first time I saw this it was an old original theatrical print, which had been cut (the electro-shock therapy had been edited) for New Zealand auidences (and it was still an R18!) ....
I had no idea it was Danny DeVito or Christopher Lloyd until many years later. When Brad tries to kill himself, that was traumtic ... and when McMurphy comes out having had the labotomoy, that was overwhelmingly tragic.
However my first experience with this film was actually the Mad magazine version (funnily enough quite a few classics I first experienced as the Mad cartoon satires ...) So I kinda knew what was going to happen before I saw it.
Still, the film is so cleverly put together nothing was diminished.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
It's a crying shame that I don't already.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
You can tell how good it is by how many times it's been parodied... the first one that comes to mind is Barney on the Simpsons, running out the window...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
It really is a shame the Academy doesn't recognize films of this calibre anymore...they cant deal with challenging and emotional at the same time unless it is in an Oprah Winfrey book of the month style fare. (Probably why films like Requeim For A Dream are ingnored as potential Best Pictures)
And yes it should be in your collection....and yours Tracy.
Totally agree Cib,
The Simpsons do some of the best film parodies around.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Last few years I havent bothered because nothing really interested me except Jon Stewart hosting....this year Ellen, i dont see it really....Forrest Whitaker better win for actor, thats for sure.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Yeah go Forest!
Go Martin!
Go Kate!
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Kate Winslett, take her or leave her for me....never really liked her choices of film or performance, but havent seen Little Children...which could change my mind.
Oh yeah and Go Forrest, Go.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Better than the last two flicks he made.
Sure he should've won best director numerous times already.
Forest needs to win on principle.
Kate should get it in recognition for Eternal Sunshine.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD