One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Synopsis: R.P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), lovingly called "Mac" by his friends in the insane asylum, thinks he can get out of jail time by pretending that he's crazy. While in the institution, he attempts to liven up the place with games of blackjack, betting cigarettes, and impromptu imitating of the World Series. However, the head nurse, Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher) has it in for Mac, making his stay more difficult than intended.

Review: Every time I watch this movie, without fail, I fall in love with Mac, the Cheif, and Billy over and over again. As do I love to hate the evil Nurse Ratched. The emotion present in this movie hooks you from the get go as you feel for each of the characters, all of their ups and downs. It's so easy to become invested in these characters, it's hard to see how they are treated inside the nut house.

I also like the idea behind the movie, the commentary on the individual versus the system. How is it Mac can weasel his way into the institution without immediate detection of his deception? I don't want to give away the ending, but there are so many events that take place in the film that suggest such harsh repremands on behalf the system that seem so unfair and cruel. It makes for a most interesting perspective on the topic.

If you haven't noticed yet, I'm on a bit of a Jack Nicholson stint. I've just watched The Shining a few days ago and I have Chinatown at the top of my Blockbuster Queue. There's something about the guy that just appeals to me. He's so freaking good at what he does, it scares me and intreagues me. I've made it a goal to see every Jack Nicholson movie out there just to see the master at work. Especially in this movie, I can never tell if the character he is playing is actually Jack Nicholson or just a character that lives in the movie. I have to believe though that every character Nicholson touches has a part of him in it. It astounds me and I will always be facinated by his work.

Back to Cuckoo's Nest, I am blown away every time by his performance in this film. He's charasmatic as Mac, and you can 't help but to root for him, even though we know his crimes are deplorable and a man like that surely deserves to be in jail. There's something about ole Mac that draws you in.

My favorite quote also comes from my favorite part in the film when Mac cons his way onto a fishing boat with all the 'boys' form the ward:

"You're not an idiot. Huh! You're not a goddamn looney now, boy. You're a fisherman"

I love this part because Mac genuinely sees these men as whole, complete and perfect and does not see the point in treating them like inferiors because they are in a mental hospital and Mac's quote in this part sums up every bit of his character in the way he treats his ward-mates.

Also, fun fact, it was filmed at the Oregon State Hospital in, you guessed it, Oregon!

Now, go to Blockbuster, find this movie, and rent it. If you don't have a Blockbuster account, go to Fred Meyer and buy it. If you're broke, borrow it, but whatever you do, see it. You won't be disappointed.

********** (10/10)