Rating: 
Summary: A Tremendous Film With The Great Nicholson
Review: This is an unforgettable film. Jack Nicholson gives one hell of a classic and memorable performance in this film directed by the great Milos Forman. Nicholson plays Randall McMurphy, a rebel inmate of sorts at a psychiatric hospital who fights the system and refuses to give in the hospital's orders or behavior. It's a real groundbreaking film. Nicholson's main adversary is the cold Nurse Ratchett(great name!), played superbly by Louise Fletcher. A remarkable performance. There are also a number of familiar faces in the film. You will definitley recognize Christopher Lloyd, Danny DeVito, and Brad Douriff, as some of the inmates. Will Sampson also gives a memorable performance. There are scenes here that are truly shocking. Anyone who has seen this probably knows what I mean when I say that. All of our actors are dead on perfect as mentally unstable patients. A remarkable cast. The end scene of the film is shocking and definitley won't be forgotten. Go watch this classic film and see one of our biggest and best legends in an astonishing performance. This is deeply recommended!.
Rating:
Summary: Great Adaptation
Review: Milos Forman has always had a knack for assembling great ensemble casts. This is particularly true in his most critically acclaimed releases (Taking Off, Amadeus and this film). It would be difficult indeed to come up with actors and actresses who were better suited to fill the roles in OFOTCN. This is true in terms of both the stars, Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher, and the secondary characters. Who could have been a better Harding than William Redfield? A better Billy Bibbit than Brad Dourif? A better Cheswick than Sydney Lassick? And most especially, a better Chief Bromden than Will Sampson? I rank this movie as the best of the best of what I consider to be American Cinema's golden decade, the 70s. It certainly won the widest acclaim, with its sweep of the major Oscars for 1975 (Nicholson also won best actor from the New York Film Critics voters that year). Not to be overlooked is the fantastic job performed by the film's adaptors, Bo Goldman and Lawrence Hauben, who also won Oscars for their screenplay. True, they did have a fairly decent stage version (by Dale Wasserman) to work with. I remember seeing an excellent production of the play, with a terrific cast, in San Francisco circa 1972. Just as an aside, I read in the Norton Critical edition of the novel, a review of a NY production of the play by Walter Kerr that was an absolute pan. Suffice it to say that the movie is much different than either the novel or the play. Those familiar with Kesey's great novel understand how difficult a transfer from page to screen would be; about a third of the story is Bromden's delusional interior monologue. The final script, quite rightly, focuses almost exclusively on Randal P McMurphy's struggle with Nurse Ratched for the hearts and minds of the inmates. This is truly a gut and soul-wrenching movie, with many moments of high maniacal comedy interspersed. Though many of his other films are top-notch, this is Forman's masterpiece. If you haven't read the book, read it. It you don't own this movie, buy it. There are few works in the history of American literature and film that are superior.
Rating:
Summary: BAD HAIR, GREAT FILM
Review: It has taken me nearly 30 years to get round to watching this film, and I genuinely think I appreciate it more for being that much older. It has had accolades for everything -- plot, direction, filming, casting, acting. It deserves them all. It is nothing short of compulsive. The bad guy who has not lost his soul (much less his spirit) is pitted against the embodiment of sanctimonious righteousness who never had a soul to lose. I wonder whether Nicholson has even yet had full recognition for the truly great actor he is (how many people have even seen The King of Marvin Gardens, for instance?) His screen presence is enormous, magnetic and menacing. He combines outsize testosteronic individuality with the ability to get inside a character, and an electric sense of threat with a real power to tug at the heart-strings. Bad he may be, but unsympathetic never. He is a very big little guy, but he is still the little guy against the system. It must be impossible, surely, to upstage that? Incredibly, no. The ultimate star in a film that has no shortage of up-and-coming luminaries as well as Nicholson (D de Vito for one) is Louise Fletcher as Nurse Ratched. I am never going to forget that mask-like expressionless face and that ever-rational, implacable, ever-modulated voice mouthing those soulless, uncomprehending, the-system-is-right banalities. Above all, I am never going to forget that hair. Among the many touches of genius in this production, that hairstyle is the ultimate. I simply could not take my eyes off it. The name is effective too, and I shall continue to believe until someone proves me wrong that it was an inspired borrowing from Jane Eyre -- the dreadful and sadistic Miss Skatcherd brought up to date and given a 20th-century twist. This film is never going to become dated as long as these polarities continue to repel each other. I saw it at all only because my son showed it to me. It is relevant to my generation, it is relevant to his, and I can't foresee when it is not going to be relevant.
Rating:
Summary: One Flew Over the Academy
Review: It's difficult for one to speak of this film without gushing superlatives, but "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" has to be considered among the greatest ever American pictures. Not a hair is out of place in this fantastic adaptation of Ken Kesey's popular novel, and it's no accident that the movie won every major Academy Award for 1976. (Only two other films have swept the five major Oscars -- Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay -- "It Happened One Night" and "The Silence of the Lambs.") If you like dramas that examine human frailties and peculiarities, this movie is a must see. It will involve you with laughter, anger, dismay, angst, and elation. No cinematic work is perfect, but "Cuckoo's Nest" comes pretty darned close. Jack Nicholson is in his defining role as "Jack McMurphy"; his persona is not only ideal for the part, but his acting is absolutely splendid. Nicholson is supported by a wonderful cast that includes the painfully unforgettable performance of Louise Fletcher as "Nurse Ratched." Several then unknown actors -- Christopher Lloyd and Danny DeVito among them -- round out the troupe beautifully. The redoubtable director Milos Forman guides his band of exceptional actors through an excellent screenplay and into cinematic immortality. While this DVD's picture quality leaves much to be desired, it's somehow fitting for this film. Strangely, the documentary-like quality of the movie make the prevalent grain and foreign matter appear as though they belong! This is the only film I've yet seen that doesn't seem to lose much for want of a good print. Still, objectively speaking, Warner showed no respect to this classic by allowing such a poor copy on DVD -- and providing a mediocre transfer to boot. (No surprise, they did a TERRIBLE job with "The Stanley Kubrick Collection"; so bad that they're redoing it.) Recorded sound is merely acceptable. The "special features" may once have been something, but they aren't any longer. DVD collectors expect more nowadays, not just a few pages of text. In the end, however, this item remains a "buy"; it's relatively cheap, and it's the only available DVD version of this great movie.
Rating:
Summary: Funny Farm
Review: Director Milos Forman's 1975, multiple Oscar winning adaptation of Ken Kesey's, best selling novel of "Cuckoo's Nest", is a film that everyone needs to see at least once. I believe that the best way to appreciate the film is by viewing the double disc DVD set. Small time crook Randle Patrick McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) is a bit of an anarchist. In order to avoid jail time, he is instead, sent to the state mental hospital. Upon his arrival, he imediately turns order into chaos, with his demands that patients deserve better treatment. He butts heads with almost every member of the hospital staff. However, his one true nemesis at the hospital is the wickedly cool, Nurse Mildred Ratched (Louise Fletcher). If there were no other cast members were in the film, but Nicholson and Fletcher, it would still work--they are that good together Fortunately though, the rest of the cast in the film is also top notch, Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd (in his film debut), and Brad Dourif, add many unforgettable moments. The movie has drama, comedy, and bitting social satire. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, is among Nicholson's best roles and is not to be missed. The special features for the set include a fully remasterd print using original elements (the film looks great by the way). There's a 48 minute retrospective documentary, that has all key cast (except Jack) and crew, sharing their thoughts about the film and the making of it. As for the audio commentary track, Forman and producers, actor Michael Douglas and Saul Zaentz, repeat some stuff from the documentary. But overall, it does a good job, and takes us through the film's evolution. Finally, there are a handful of deleted scenes, some of which are quite good, and are great to see. The Cuckoo's Nest special edition DVD is a must own for anyone's film collection
Rating:
Summary: Ah, Juicyfruit.
Review: Strong contender for best film ever, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is probably Jack's best role. However, the strength of the movie is in the supporting characters, including Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, and Oscar winner Louise Fletcher. There are many good films where you might skip a scene or two to get to the "good" part. Not so, here. Every scene is riveting. The role of Will Sampson as "Chief", the big indian, was reduced in size from that in the book, but nevertheless, provides the axis of the movie, and the heart-breaking last scene (almost not included). I remember this was shown on broadcast TV (amazingly enough) with a warning about the high level of swearing. Golly! DVD for this top-5 oscar-winning movie include commentaries by director Milos Forman and producer Michael Douglas, delected scenes, etc. You too can find out what "instruments" were used to make the beautiful score. If you have not seen the movie, you have missed a great one.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome ..Just Awe Inspiring plus great "making of.."
Review: This movie is awesome. My teacher recommended it to me and I liked Jack Nicholson so I bought the DVD. It's great and the remaster is awesome. The DVD is well packaged and the "Making of" featurette is great. And hey who could forget about the actual movie. It's thoughtful, strong, captivating and there isn't any scene that's unimportant. Plus the Actors were superb. Historic Movie . Worthy of every Oscar it got. The ending was unexpected too (unless you read the book). Plus it's funny which I like. I've got to read the book someday.Although my only gripe was that they could have interviewed Jack Nicholson in the "Making of..".
Rating:
Summary: "Ah, Juicyfruit."
Review: Strong contender for best film ever, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is probably Jack's best role (won Oscar). However, the strength of the movie is in the supporting characters, including Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, and Oscar-winner Louise Fletcher. There are many good films where you might skip a scene or two to get to the "good" part. Not so, here. Every scene is riveting. The role of Will Sampson as "Chief", the big indian, was reduced in size from that in the book, but nevertheless, provides the axis of the movie, and the heart-breaking last scene (almost not included). I remember this was shown on broadcast TV (amazingly enough) with a warning about the high level of swearing. Golly! The DVD for this top-5 oscar-winning movie includes a commentary by director Milos Forman and producer Michael Douglas, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes, etc. You too can find out what "instruments" were used to make the beautiful score. If you have not seen the movie, you have missed a great one.
Rating:
Summary: Possibly the best movie of all time
Review: i love this movie! i play the f-ck out of it! this is nicholsons best, as well as brad douriff(i know i spelt it wrong), danny devito, chris lloyd, and whatever cheswicks real name is. this is probably the favorite movie in my DVD collection. the extras are unbelievable. quite a few deleted scenes, a "making of" documentary (awesome!), and more. ive memorized so many lines from this movie that i could probably get together a play with some other die-hard cuckoo's nest fans. i havent read the book yet (shame on me), but the film is enough. i dont know what to say except i couldnt stand it after the first time i watched it, but it grows on you like nothing else. buy this baby, its worth every penny. the movie is 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 15 seconds long.
Rating:
Summary: Cuckoo's Nest is a modern story of the Christ
Review: Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ continues to draw record crowds and everyone who has seen it rates it very highly, but One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest may be a more accurate in some ways retelling of the Christ Story. Most people will never know that this is the Christ story set in contemporary times. No robes and beards and crosses here, no stereotypical sneering Satan, but instead a story about good and evil, as one of the characters says near the very beginning, "Its not about my wife. Its about my life. Its about good and evil, its about God and the devil!" and so it is. Here Satan appears not in red or black, but in white, a nurse! She has no snarl, but instead speaks softly as she administers medications and follows the rules. She is an agent of mercy! And on the other hand was the unshaven McMurphy, the petty crook, the foul mouthed womanizer who enjoyed gambling, smoking, drinking, all the antithesis of the the religious ideal, but then Jeusus too was always unpopular with the religous types. They called him a glutton and a drunkard and noted that he hung out with prostitutes. But McMrphy has a good heart! He is decidely Christ like in his attitudes towards his fellow inmates. He treats the apparently autistic native American "chief" as if he is just one of the boys. He takes his fellow inmates on a fishing junket and introduces them as "doctors". He has a joyful world view that bends the rules for the sake of humanity. Not so the nurse! She follows the rules to the letter! Their conflict is the whole point of Christianity, the law versus the Gospel. Here is a film where you can really hate the Satanic and love the Christ like, and the differences between the two are presented in stark contrast. You can't just observe this film. You are rooting for McMurphy!
In Gibson's Passion of the Christ one observes the outrageous abuses suffered by Jesus and feel horror, but when you observe the satanic figure in that film you are not consumed by hate for it. You are not hoping that Christ will strangle Satan right then and there as you do hope will happen in Cuckoo's Nest, where McMurphy attempts to strangle the God forsaken nurse. At the end of the film, the inmates are convinced that the absent McMurphy is "up there", cofounding the authorities. Now they have faith in McMurphy. The "Chief" acts on his faith, throws the plumbing through the wall, and escapes as water gushes everywhere. Christians will remember that the waters of Baptism free one from the shackles of tyrany.
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