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It won five Oscars, six Golden Globes, and a Grammy. It’s been discussed and debated, quoted and copied for 35 years. It’s one of the most celebrated films of all time. And if, for some reason, you still haven’t seen One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, you’re missing out on a comical, captivating, and utterly unforgettable classic.
Jack Nicholson stars as R. P. McMurphy, a belligerent, trouble-making work farm inmate who’s sent to a mental institution for evaluation. For McMurphy, it’s a chance to avoid work detail—to have a little fun while he waits for his release.
Unfortunately, though, cold, unflinching Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher) rules the ward with an iron fist—and she seems determined to spoil all of McMurphy’s devilish fun. But McMurphy won’t give up that easily—and he begins a battle of wits that can only end in disaster.
When it comes to writing a review of such a venerated classic as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, it’s difficult to know where to begin. To be honest, it’s a pretty daunting task. What, exactly, makes a movie like this one such a beloved classic? For some, it’s the story, based on the novel by Ken Kesey. Though much of the film is light and even rowdy in tone, there’s a lot more going on here. It’s a story about authority and rebellion, order and chaos. It’s irreverent and a little bit crazy—and it’s a rollercoaster of emotions. At times, it’s mischievous and playful, or it’s shocking and unsettling, or it’s haunting and tragic. And all of those elements work together to create a film that’s both wildly entertaining and deeply meaningful.
Still, the story wouldn’t be as entertaining or as memorable without such endearing characters—or such a spectacular ensemble cast. Though McMurphy and Nurse Ratched take center stage, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is loaded with character and charm. Each patient in the ward has his own individual personality, which comes through during the group’s therapy sessions, their basketball games in the yard, and McMurphy’s illicit poker games in the tub room. From Danny DeVito’s smiling, agreeable Martini and Brad Dourif’s timid, stammering Billy Bibbit to William Redfield’s self-proclaimed intellectual, Harding, and Will Sampson’s quiet but commanding Chief Bromden, each one becomes so much more than just another character in a movie.
And, of course, there are the performances. Nicholson is positively electric in one of the most iconic performances of his long and remarkable career. He’s in his element as the playfully insubordinate McMurphy, a character who’s determined to wreak havoc on the ward—whether it’s because he’s crazy, stubborn, or just plain bored. Louise Fletcher, meanwhile, makes the perfect adversary as Nurse Ratched, the stone-faced nurse who’s McMurphy’s opposite in every possible way.
From top to bottom, from plot to performances, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is truly worthy of the label “classic.” It’s a film that’s not to be missed.
DVD Review:
The Collector’s Edition box set of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is loaded with unexpected extras—like a Cuckoo’s Nest-themed pack of cards (which, incidentally, isn’t as indecent as McMurphy’s beloved deck of cards in the movie). The box also contains character photo cards, mini reproductions of original movie posters, a copy of the original press book, and another 52-page book, which documents the filmmaking process, the film’s cast, and more.
On the two-disc DVD release, you’ll also find a variety of the usual special features—including a commentary, deleted scenes, and trailers. The bonus disc also features Completely Cuckoo, a feature-length 1997 documentary about the making of the film, and Asylum: An Empty Nest for the Mentally Ill?, a half-hour feature about mental health care at the time Cuckoo’s Nest was made.
Though many of the extras are the kinds of things that you’ll most likely flip through and set aside (like the photo cards and posters), the set is filled with interesting facts and features about this classic film—and fans of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest will definitely want to add it to their collection.
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