One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) user reviews
User Reviews (11)
God
I randomly picked this film to watch off a top 100 movies of all time list and I so enjoyed it! Nicholson’s spirited performance turns what could have been a standard movie malcontent into a martyr. He erupts on the screen as McMurphy in a performance that is flawless in timing and character perception. He also manages to expose yet another, less noticeable layer of McMurphy. His deep compassion for his fellow human beings, which acts as a balance for his otherwise violent nature. It is a performance of complexity and energy, the kind of triumph that happens in those rare times when the right actor meets the challenge of the right role. The remainder of the cast is equally brilliant. I especially liked Will Sampson as the gentle giant Indian chief and Brad Dourif as the painfully tongue-tied victim of Nurse Ratched’s heartlessness. I saw this once before when I was much too young to understand it and when I came across it tonight I didn't remember enough to know the treat I was in for.
God
A Ken Kesey novel. And a beauty of a movie. Jack Nicholson is completely at home with a character that defies authority. More to the point, he THRIVES at thumbing his nose at authority. This could be the greatest cast ever assembled for a movie. Scatman Crothers. Danny Devito. Louise Fletcher. Christopher Lloyd. Nicholson. Will Sampson. Anjelica Huston. William Redfield . Dean R. Brooks, who at the time, was actually the head of the Oregon State Hospital in 1975 when One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was filmed there. The Chief, played by Will Sampson was intended to be the hero , or protagonist of the story. It was SUPPOSED to be mainly about how his character changes , and evolves. How he manages to braek away from his mental chains, put his past behind him, and become free. Nicholson never does that, but I guess that his charisma, his overpowering personality, changed our perception of the intent. No matter. It's a classic. Get out the popcorn.
God
This is and always will be a classic. Well directed, well acted and Nurse Ratched is an iconic villain.
9/10
master
Nicholson had acted in several roles that I liked, but when this came out, and I saw it in the theatre, I knew he had struck gold.
The tragic aspect is the Native American guy, William Sampson, playing his buddy...was essentially forgotten. Yet without his energy, would Nicholson have been as great?
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Sam...
dosmovies.com/watch_movie/Outlaw_Josey_W....
Sampson has a role in The Outlaw Josey Wales too.
Mentally ill folks were often indigent or criminals and in those days, there were big state institutions. And what happened was the barbarism of doing lobotomies then so caused concern and with budget cuts, that these places closed.
That's a huge problem. What happened was that closure began the homeless epidemic in America. There had always been homeless due to alcohol. Drug addicts had squatted in abandoned urban areas.
But this unleashed a FLOOD who meandered around and were not getting help nor meds nor fed.
...
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master
Watched this again after a very long time as I'd forgotten it mostly. Have to say this movie is a keeper. Probably will re watch for years to come. Mr Nicholson is an actor not many can compete with. I'd give this a definitive 9/10.
expert
We all know, this one of the best classic movies ever! Worth a watch more than once! All the actors shine! Excellent, excellent movie!
master
I have watched this countless times. I think it's because I have been on wards like this a few times in my life. The first time I was 16 years old and one of the nurses I had my sister would call her nurse Ratched. Anyway this movie is worth seeing over and over again. I believe it is Jack's best character to date. Even though there are many of his movies I love. If you haven't watched this no matter your age, I'm sure you will love it. All the star actors are so young in this Devito, Christopher Lloyd to name a few. 5/5
top expert
one of the all-time bestest. check out the gooberment bein' involved in "health care" even back when this movie was made. just doin' their jobs along with a few psychopaths like Nurse Ratched, played brilliantly by Louise Fletcher. I would find it "shocking" that someone hasn't watched this at least once. [spoiler][/spoiler]&& never forget that it's better to have a bottle in front of you than a frontal lobotomy.
master
This is the kind of movie that sticks with you. It's amazing. I can't really say much more that hasn't already been said in the comments so far, but it's really worth a watch. The story, the cast/the acting, the directing... it's all phenomenal. 10/10 for me. This is what you call a classic. I watched it twice in a row. Really beautiful film.
senior guru
This film is in my top 10 of all time it is a classic, Jack plays McMurphy so well winding up the other patients all the time and that big Grin that only Jack can do so well and some other what would become stars in this classic as well Danny Devito, Christopher Lloyd and others who I have seen since but do not know their names. All time classic. THIS IS movie history for me, what was a great drama also had funny moments all over it. This is one of if not Jack's best ever role, but so hard to choose as he is so good.
guru
a true classic, and a lesson for us all!, never lie about what you are cos it could come back and bite you right up the ass.
5/5