An Academy Award darling, ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ was a record breaker back in its day, winning Best director, Best Screenplay adaptation, Best supporting actor, Best Actor, Best editing, Best score and many MANY more. and given its been AT LEAST 10-15 years since I last watched it, it was a long overdue rewatch tonight.

The plot? Well its a little open to interpretation, as we follow Randle McMurphy. A con rejected from a ‘workers farm’ for assaulting too many people sent to an institution to be analysed to find out if he suffers from mental illness. The main thrust of the plot follows McMurphys various efforts to either escape, change the operations of the facility or to simply antagonize the wards chief of staff ‘Nurse Ratched’.

Only, McMurphy finds himself in too deep, when he finds out that the ward staff are the people who can decide when he’s free to go, and that being institutionalised is NOT a walk in the park.

The ‘open to interpretation’ element comes in with McMurphys mental health itself, you can choose to interpret the film literally, as in; McMurphy is a con man trying to pretend to be mentally ill to get a cushy ride, only to find the ride isnt quite as good as he figured. OR, you can interpret the film as all being from McMurphys perspective, and that he IS in fact mentally unwell, but warping the situation to how his reality percieves it. Theres evidence throughout the film to suggest both, and either honestly give entirely new readings on the situation.

To be blunt, this is a fascinating film and significantly more enjoyable the second time around when you know what happens and how things are played out, subtle moments that may go amiss the first time around are MUCH more significant on a rewatch and frankly. the whole things fantastic.

The scripts essentially a series of character pieces, but played with a real sense of complexity and care, its easy to dismiss these performances as ‘surface level’ but realistically, there is SO much more going onto these characters, and as the film slowly unravels, you see that complexity in all there different flavours.

The pacings a little stop/start for me, but its kept largely in check by a solid act structuring that never lets the characters rest for too long. Building to a totally unexpected ending that…while maybe a little softer than hoped for some, still has power in its metatext.

My only criticism is I feel had this been 10-15 minutes shorter, it would have been even more effective in what it was trying to achieve. The set pieces are nice, the conversational pieces extroadinary (Seriously, the dialogue here is next level). But I think one more pass through really would have just got it over the line for me.

Outside of that though? The direction is superb, no notes on my part its creative and emotionally satisfying, the cine equally solid, colourful bright, well composed with only a couple of shots really missing the mark for me. The edit is rock solid barring for a couple of continuity issues and the soundtrack, exquisit.

But, for me? the performances MAKE this movie. Outside of early appearences from Danny Devito and Christopher Lloyd (who here are exceptional) But this was an ‘introducing’ credit for Brad Dourif, who is just PHENOMONAL here. giving a genuine and realistic performance that rightfully earned him the ‘best supporting actor’ award.

This? is probably Jack Nicholsons greatest performance. a STORM of a character, he owns every single scene he’s in, works an ASTOUNDING range and takes the audience on a journey that I imagine seldom will forget. I sincerely think this role is the best thing he ever did, and given the work this man did with Kubrick? I think thats exceptional.

One Flew Over the Cuckoos nest is an emotional and engaging story of the mental health system in the US at a time where institutions like this were on the verge of widescale closure for the conditions they bred. A powerful feature film that stands alone and offers an astounding work to anyone willing to put the time in to see it. imperfect, but absolutely worth your time.

source https://letterboxd.com/tytdreviews/film/one-flew-over-the-cuckoos-nest/