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 am not sure which feeling first came into my mind, or a combination of those all did: being stunning, something beyond the ability of my thinking, sadness, or worrying about something? I was more than paying attention on it when I watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Undoubtably, it is a excellent movie with a different way of direction and outstanding acting. Maybe the performance in the movie was too realistic to cause me confused in something about our human. I always thought there should be mental weaknesses staying in that kind of closed areas, but in this movie few people inside seemed even strong thinking in logic although most of them did not. And the health care workers there just let patients play together by themselves, not as what I expected that the professional nurses doing some simple mind games with them to improve their returning normal. At last, what did they do on the character Mc Murphy when they had no way to heal or control him! What’s the mission of them -- Health providers, or health killers?
Ever since I watched “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, McMuphy’s mischievous grin and Ratched’s icy stare has been haunting me to think about what the film is trying to show us. The conflict between McMuphy and Ratched in the mental hospital implies a confrontation against order and social system. It is the perception of sanity and rebellion against establishment. I have not experienced the “hippy” era myself, so it is hard to connect with the politics of that time period to the film. But I am sure that challenging authorities for the pursuit of freedom can come into existence at any age. Jack Nicholson is undeniably of one of the best actors. His superb acting brings out a vivid characterization of McMuphy who is a playful and defiant prankster and still keeps the natural goodness in his heart. Yet I still feel cold and heart wrenching whenever I think of the chilling expressionless face of nurse Ratched(even though Louise Fletcher is beautiful and dignified). She never has a sincere smile, is compassionless to her patients, and only always follows “the schedule and rule”. In fact, in our real life, it’s not hard to see this kind of people who use power to suppress others, for defend their authority if people do not obey them. After watching this film I feel a mixture of emotions. It is a combination of sadness, disturbing chill, and sympathy. The ending is however, uplifting. Even though it is tragic that McMuphy was killed, “Chief” finally breaks through the window and dashes out toward freedom fulfilling McMuphy’s dream. “Chief” believes that McMuphy is with him because he has released the spirit of unconscious McMuphy (by asphyxiation). McMurphy impacted all of the people around him. This film is a classic because it withstands the test of time and is still thought provoking even today!
I have heard the movie “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” for a long time, but I didn’t have an opportunity to see it. After I saw this movie, I thought it was a great movie to describe how people fought against the power. Also, I found a totally different Nicholson instead of the most famous Lakers’ super basketball fan. Most of the movie was a comedy, but the ending was a tragedy. The color of the film was full of black and white, and it expressed the repression of the metal hospital. However, Nicholson brought an exciting change at this hospital. His rebel personality influenced other patients, and he wanted to challenge the stable rules. Then, the conflict between Nicholson and the nurse, Fletcher, became stronger and stronger. He reminded the Indian chief to go back to the freedom, and the chief killed him not to let him live in an unconscious world. This movie told me how to keep a positive and free spirit in my life, and I should deal with the problems cleverly to succeed.
I just finished watching One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. A name always flashs back and forth from the scene of moving the tap station by McMurphy. That is Don Quixote. McMurphy belongs to neither the Cuckoo's nest nor any of the outside well organized groups. He belongs to himself, his own thought, or sometimes his illusion. He did things hardly rationally, but by feeling all the time. He enjoys the moment of chaos, but never mind after. It is totally incompatible with the modern society. We can find McMurphys everywhere nowaday and past.
I love this movie, even the horrified vocal music sent a chill through me and make me suffocating to the end. I can see somehow hippie or liberal snap dig deep in my mind when I was young. I am empathizing with their resentment. I am heart breaking for their moan. However I have to admit that there is not any modern society could accept them without changing them first. It is a tragedy but it is realistic.
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.
ReplyDeleteQin He
ReplyDelete65654
April 4, 2015
Ideas after Watching
I am not sure which feeling first came into my mind, or a combination of those all did: being stunning, something beyond the ability of my thinking, sadness, or worrying about something? I was more than paying attention on it when I watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Undoubtably, it is a excellent movie with a different way of direction and outstanding acting. Maybe the performance in the movie was too realistic to cause me confused in something about our human.
I always thought there should be mental weaknesses staying in that kind of closed areas, but in this movie few people inside seemed even strong thinking in logic although most of them did not. And the health care workers there just let patients play together by themselves, not as what I expected that the professional nurses doing some simple mind games with them to improve their returning normal. At last, what did they do on the character Mc Murphy when they had no way to heal or control him! What’s the mission of them -- Health providers, or health killers?
Ever since I watched “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, McMuphy’s mischievous grin and Ratched’s icy stare has been haunting me to think about what the film is trying to show us. The conflict between McMuphy and Ratched in the mental hospital implies a confrontation against order and social system. It is the perception of sanity and rebellion against establishment. I have not experienced the “hippy” era myself, so it is hard to connect with the politics of that time period to the film. But I am sure that challenging authorities for the pursuit of freedom can come into existence at any age.
ReplyDeleteJack Nicholson is undeniably of one of the best actors. His superb acting brings out a vivid characterization of McMuphy who is a playful and defiant prankster and still keeps the natural goodness in his heart. Yet I still feel cold and heart wrenching whenever I think of the chilling expressionless face of nurse Ratched(even though Louise Fletcher is beautiful and dignified). She never has a sincere smile, is compassionless to her patients, and only always follows “the schedule and rule”. In fact, in our real life, it’s not hard to see this kind of people who use power to suppress others, for defend their authority if people do not obey them.
After watching this film I feel a mixture of emotions. It is a combination of sadness, disturbing chill, and sympathy. The ending is however, uplifting. Even though it is tragic that McMuphy was killed, “Chief” finally breaks through the window and dashes out toward freedom fulfilling McMuphy’s dream. “Chief” believes that McMuphy is with him because he has released the spirit of unconscious McMuphy (by asphyxiation). McMurphy impacted all of the people around him. This film is a classic because it withstands the test of time and is still thought provoking even today!
I have heard the movie “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” for a long time, but I didn’t have an opportunity to see it. After I saw this movie, I thought it was a great movie to describe how people fought against the power. Also, I found a totally different Nicholson instead of the most famous Lakers’ super basketball fan.
ReplyDeleteMost of the movie was a comedy, but the ending was a tragedy. The color of the film was full of black and white, and it expressed the repression of the metal hospital. However, Nicholson brought an exciting change at this hospital. His rebel personality influenced other patients, and he wanted to challenge the stable rules. Then, the conflict between Nicholson and the nurse, Fletcher, became stronger and stronger. He reminded the Indian chief to go back to the freedom, and the chief killed him not to let him live in an unconscious world.
This movie told me how to keep a positive and free spirit in my life, and I should deal with the problems cleverly to succeed.
I just finished watching One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. A name always flashs back and forth from the scene of moving the tap station by McMurphy. That is Don Quixote. McMurphy belongs to neither the Cuckoo's nest nor any of the outside well organized groups. He belongs to himself, his own thought, or sometimes his illusion. He did things hardly rationally, but by feeling all the time. He enjoys the moment of chaos, but never mind after. It is totally incompatible with the modern society. We can find McMurphys everywhere nowaday and past.
ReplyDeleteI love this movie, even the horrified vocal music sent a chill through me and make me suffocating to the end. I can see somehow hippie or liberal snap dig deep in my mind when I was young. I am empathizing with their resentment. I am heart breaking for their moan. However I have to admit that there is not any modern society could accept them without changing them first. It is a tragedy but it is realistic.