One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

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Director: Milos Forman

Writers: Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman, based on the novel by Ken Kesey

Stars: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Will Sampson, William Redfield, Brad Dourif, Sydney Lassick, Christopher Lloyd



This film belongs on a short list of the best American movies ever made.

 


Jack Nicholson plays Randle P. McMurphy, a small-time convict who feigns insanity for a transfer to a mental hospital, which he thinks will be an easier place to do his time.

 


On the contrary, he finds himself in conflict with Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), who seems to be more interested in control than therapy. 



This film is in the same vein as "Cool Hand Luke": the protagonists of both films are irrepressible individuals whose refusal (or inability) to acknowledge authority puts them squarely into direct conflict with a system that ultimately destroys them physically without conquering their spirits.

 


"Cuckoo's Nest," however, is even better than that fine film. 



The entire cast is excellent, but Nicholson is astonishing. 



Although this is ultimately a very serious film, it has a lot of laughs too, which makes it a thoroughly entertaining experience.































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