Watching One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was interesting, especially since the original came out when I was 19. Certainly, the film reflects the politics of that time and the questioning of authority so common during the “hippy” era. What makes the film work for me nowadays is the superb work of the actors and the imaginative and interesting use of the camera to bring out each actor’s quirks! I felt sorry for Louise Fletcher (even though she was awarded with best actress) as she still, after all these years, made me dislike her steely, almost inhuman, resolve to follow “the schedule.” It certainly serves as a reminder to anyone in a position of authority (as I am by being a teacher) to remember how much power one has over others and how easily one can abuse that power. I’m not sure “like” is quite the right word for a film as disturbing as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; perhaps “respect” is a better word. Killing our protagonist at the end is rare in Hollywood films; having him shown to be a lobotomized robot just before makes it all the more bitter. The ability of the state and its institutions to stifle a creative, albeit out of control, character like R.P. McMurphy is still with us and, if the film serves as a reminder of that, then I hope it will live on and be watched for a long time to come. Given its status as the number 13 film on the top 250 at IMDB, perhaps it will.
I was glad to finally watch the “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” from the beginning to the end. I had never thought about the meaning of the title before. I decided to make a research, since I had read the novel in translation (it was translated as a “Flight Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”). What I found out and it has struck me, that the title was a part of an old child rhyme. There are words in it: “Goose swoops down and plucks you out”. Now for me, it all fell into place with the understanding of the movie. R.P. McMurphy is so passionate about life, he has such an independent spirit, and freedom is his way of living. He simply could not understand how people are willing to live in a jail. McMurphy, as the goose, tried to get at least someone from the scheduled predictable swamp. For me the most impressive scene was the one in which he found out that most of the patients are volunteers in the clinic. Probably it is insane, but I can say the movie is inspirational. After watching the movie I felt a desire to live interesting, not to afraid to try something new and challenging, do something bright, not routine. But also it is important at the same time to remember about basic norms of behavior and especially about responsibilities if your new excited life affects someone else's. Since I moved to Vancouver I have been trying to understand the West Coast style of living, why there are so many talented people here, what is it in the air between Seattle and San Francisco. I am planning to read about 60s and 70s more, and Ken Kesey’s novels are on the top of my list.
I was so upset of such a beautiful movie, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” ended with sadness. At first, I was so happy to see this movie, but at end, it gave me a negative energy. The nurse, Louise Fletcher, made me really angry of her behaviour in this movie, “Your hand standing on my window.” I liked this movie form the other view. There were professional actors and actresses that gave me the feeling, they were supposed to give. It is a powerful message to aware us of these hospitals and other medical services that are not trustable, and it is one of the proofs of in these society.
Watching One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was interesting, especially since the original came out when I was 19. Certainly, the film reflects the politics of that time and the questioning of authority so common during the “hippy” era. What makes the film work for me nowadays is the superb work of the actors and the imaginative and interesting use of the camera to bring out each actor’s quirks! I felt sorry for Louise Fletcher (even though she was awarded with best actress) as she still, after all these years, made me dislike her steely, almost inhuman, resolve to follow “the schedule.” It certainly serves as a reminder to anyone in a position of authority (as I am by being a teacher) to remember how much power one has over others and how easily one can abuse that power. I’m not sure “like” is quite the right word for a film as disturbing as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; perhaps “respect” is a better word. Killing our protagonist at the end is rare in Hollywood films; having him shown to be a lobotomized robot just before makes it all the more bitter. The ability of the state and its institutions to stifle a creative, albeit out of control, character like R.P. McMurphy is still with us and, if the film serves as a reminder of that, then I hope it will live on and be watched for a long time to come. Given its status as the number 13 film on the top 250 at IMDB, perhaps it will.
ReplyDeleteI was glad to finally watch the “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” from the beginning to the end. I had never thought about the meaning of the title before. I decided to make a research, since I had read the novel in translation (it was translated as a “Flight Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”). What I found out and it has struck me, that the title was a part of an old child rhyme. There are words in it: “Goose swoops down and plucks you out”. Now for me, it all fell into place with the understanding of the movie. R.P. McMurphy is so passionate about life, he has such an independent spirit, and freedom is his way of living. He simply could not understand how people are willing to live in a jail. McMurphy, as the goose, tried to get at least someone from the scheduled predictable swamp. For me the most impressive scene was the one in which he found out that most of the patients are volunteers in the clinic.
ReplyDeleteProbably it is insane, but I can say the movie is inspirational. After watching the movie I felt a desire to live interesting, not to afraid to try something new and challenging, do something bright, not routine. But also it is important at the same time to remember about basic norms of behavior and especially about responsibilities if your new excited life affects someone else's.
Since I moved to Vancouver I have been trying to understand the West Coast style of living, why there are so many talented people here, what is it in the air between Seattle and San Francisco. I am planning to read about 60s and 70s more, and Ken Kesey’s novels are on the top of my list.
I was so upset of such a beautiful movie, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” ended with sadness. At first, I was so happy to see this movie, but at end, it gave me a negative energy. The nurse, Louise Fletcher, made me really angry of her behaviour in this movie, “Your hand standing on my window.” I liked this movie form the other view. There were professional actors and actresses that gave me the feeling, they were supposed to give. It is a powerful message to aware us of these hospitals and other medical services that are not trustable, and it is one of the proofs of in these society.
ReplyDelete