One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - 1975 (R)

Actors: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, William Redfield, Michael Berryman
Director: Milos Forman
Reviewed: 26 May 2005



Here is a movie about a McMurphy, a convict who feigns insanity to get out of the work camp and
into a mental institution. There, everyone lives under the crushing grip of Nurse Ratched, an
exceptionally unpleasant villain. McMurphy tries his best to breathe some life into the 
institution, doing everything from acting out a World Series game to sneaking the patients out
fishing. The bonds he forms with the people he originally mocks are touching, and you find
out how much of a soul he really has. The ending in particular is very sad, but uplifting at
the same time. The movie also has one of my favorite movie characters, the Chief, an enormous
mute Native American who is more solidly built that some football players. One of the most
hilarious scenes is when McMurphy is trying to teach him how to play basketball against all
of the lean, black staff members. The movie has many memorable scenes and quotes, and great
character chemistry. It teaches you crazy people aren't as crazy as you might think, just
misunderstood. It's a great movie to teach you something about tolerance. It might also make
you laugh.

SCORE: 9/10

GOOD QUOTE
-Hit me, Chief, I got the moves!
-If Mr. McMurphy doesn't want his medication orally, we can arrange to have it some other way. 
-Get out of my way son, you're usin' my oxygen. 

BAD QUOTE
-I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this.
-Mmmmmm, Juicey Fruit.