Another movie that’s as relevant today as it’s always been. Possibly even more so as most of us are still locked down in our homes. Mental health problems are supposedly on the rise. And we’re all getting contradictory information about what to do and what not to do.
It’s based on a stage play of the book by Ken Kesey who worked in a mental institution for a few years. He said he would never watch the film, so he really missed out. The genius of “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” is it’s one of those incredibly entertaining and dramatic films that is so wonderfully ambiguous that it works on many levels and can be interpreted in a million ways, none of which I can do justice to here.
It is beautifully directed by Milos Forman and has a fantastic cast. Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher are, of course, great. But it also has outstanding performances by the likes of Brad Dourif, Christopher Lloyd, Danny DeVito and Scatman Crothers. And Will Sampson as “Chief” is a wonderful, strong, silent metaphor for …? It changes every time I watch it.
It deserved all the awards. It was the second ever film to win all top five Oscars. The first was “It Happened One Night” which was made 40 years before (you should also watch that). It won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress. I think the third is “Silence of the Lambs” – so watch that too. Hollywood voters like crazy people.
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