This is a great review, Josh. I've been a fan of Ken Kesey for about 50 years, and loved the so-called back story as to how the screenplay eventually found its way to Milos Forman after a journey of a number of years.
I was completely entranced by this film as a teenager. I had no basis for comparison and it was one of my first memorable experiences of multilayered meaning, mystery and wonder.
Yes, Josh, a very enjoyable movie. It's in my top 10 and, as you say, there are so many ways of looking at this movie, many of which oyu have covered in your analysis. I think it is a key work of the period as it displays an anti-authoritarian attitude along with the foregrounding of characters from the margins of society, that ordinary people could be seen as heroic. 3 more points I would add as to why this movie is great 1. Milos Forman's illuminating comment that he made this movie from a Czech perspective on America - he said that he knew this world because he had lived in it (ie. the 'voice of reason and authority' was very much a Communist one. In fact, the English critic, Dilys Powell saw the movie as an allegory of Communist Czechoslovakia) and leads into all kinds of ways of analysing this movie, chiefly that we are all inmates of a system that seeks to control us and limit our freedoms 2. This is a very funny movie, as you say, which works to make the ending so devastating. Mixing comedy and tragedy is a potent dramatic combination. 3. Finally, much like The Shawshank Redemption, the story of one man leading another to freedom is also very powerful. Of course, here, it is the sacrifice of one which leads to the liberation of the other. And this combination in the ending brings tears of sadness and joy as the multi-layered meanings begin to kick in.
Great video! The way you touch on many different subjects the movie brings up keeps things fresh, while giving visual hints is both inspiring and entertaining.
The nurse uses sweetness and an angelic touch/approach to confront the inmates' most traumatic issues, to almost force them into a nervous breakdown, intentionally. And this has nothing to do with her desire to help, but rather to destabilize the person. It's impressive. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to disagree with you about the comparison between the book and the film. I saw the film and later learned that in the book McMurphy managed to achieve his goal: when he tries to suffocate the nurse, his desire is to leave the woman mute, forever! She has always used her voice to destroy patients (to show power), and McMurphy knows that taking her voice away will be a blessing for everyone. In the book this is clear, in the film this is not the case, because after the attack she suffers, we can see her speaking again. It is not in the book. So the film removes from the scene the greatest victory that McMurphy achieved! McMurphy was responsible for opening the chief Bromden's eyes to seek freedom and, after the chief saw what happened to his friend, he gave McMurphy something that the poor (lobotized) man could never receive from anyone, the chief gave McMurphy physical and spiritual freedom, suffocating his friend so he could have the greatest escape of all, away from the hospital, away from the nurse. Chief Bromden took McMurphy with him!
I think what's striking is the way the characters tics and / or other disadvanteges or challenging various areas highlighted were equally funny for the bizzar breaks from norm expected enfoldment of procedures like a in a basket ball match would be understood as general common knowledge. Even more important was the showing human assets shining at times and also presenting believable individuals with functioning feelings for anger frustration fear distrust but also joy, pride desire interaction etc. In other words it showed us the cinematic artform on how to have an impuls into what over decades and with the input of thought revision evaluation and so on decades later surfaced as the concept INCLUSION, it also gave an entertaining reality check on need to address the systems in place and get presented with the possible outcome to fight for a cause, helping one out of a full ward. And it made the vital point why these fights needs to be taken on because no superpower or knight will appear with a bang to take it on for you. It also showcased the equal excellence of which a woman can portrait a scary monster of a villain and own the scenes and win audience. This fact was very much doubted to be the case with most femal actors and the production managements and also within common assumption generally speaking and without providing difference by gender focused evaluation.
This is my favorite and what I believe to be the greatest movie of all time, along with Jack being my favorite / imo the greatest actor. It would be great if you could do something like a "What Makes This Actor Great?' video on Jack if possible!! great video too bro
Nicholson seems slightly mad in lots of his roles, similarly as does Peter Sellars. Many of Nicholson's facial expressions and reactions in this film remind me of Sellars.
Well, it starts with the book, and then it’s the character of McMurphy, but obviously Jack had tons and tons to do with the movie being so great while still being quite authentic to the book. Clearly, Jack brings out the best in almost every actress hes ever worked with, but Louise Fletcher should get a huge chunk of the praise heaped on this film because she was completely spectacular!
40 years ago my highschool teacher told us that Milos Forman studyed the nativ american culture and one of its Myth is that the Messiah came into the world at sunrise, saved one person, died and the person how was saved became the new Messiah. Mcmarphey araived to the hospitol at dawn, ....... the indian ascape at dawn.
I'm pissed I couldn't find my book today so I had to watch the movie, there are key elements in the book that the chief was the narrator. Amazing movie/book dude
Reading the book now. Seems they left the paranoia schizophrenia out of Chief's character in the movie. But since he's the narrator in the book, I guess they couldn't figure out how to fit it in.
Interseting commentary. However, I think you missed what the subtext of this movie is about. This movie is not about socio-economics or politics. It is also not a Western or a commentary about the Vietnam War. Let me ask you a question: What do these following movies all have in common? "E.T. The Extraterrestial", "The Day The Earth Stood Still", and "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest"? They are all the story of Jesus. In the Messiah story, the messiah must die at the end, or the story doesn't work. The Chief suffocates McMurphy because he knows the other patients cannot see McMurphy in his vegetative state after Nurse Ratchet orders the lobotomy. Nurse Ratchet is the Pontius Pilate character, the other patients are the disciples. At the end of the story, the other men, who are mostly in the mental hospital voluntarily, decide to leave and carry on with their lives. The Chief reveals to McMurphy, over a piece of Juicy Fruit chewing gum, that he can, and has always been able to hear and speak. Ken Kesey mentioned in an interview that he drew inspiration for this story after reading about Jesus. Let me know what you think about this perspective. There are a lot of movies which have the same underlying subtext, but are very cleverly hidden from the audience.
My favorite movie of all time, simply unforgettable
Me too! Have seen it over 100 times, and I love it. Masterpiece of film making.
This is a great review, Josh. I've been a fan of Ken Kesey for about 50 years, and loved the so-called back story as to how the screenplay eventually found its way to Milos Forman after a journey of a number of years.
I was completely entranced by this film as a teenager. I had no basis for comparison and it was one of my first memorable experiences of multilayered meaning, mystery and wonder.
Yes, Josh, a very enjoyable movie. It's in my top 10 and, as you say, there are so many ways of looking at this movie, many of which oyu have covered in your analysis.
I think it is a key work of the period as it displays an anti-authoritarian attitude along with the foregrounding of characters from the margins of society, that ordinary people could be seen as heroic.
3 more points I would add as to why this movie is great
1. Milos Forman's illuminating comment that he made this movie from a Czech perspective on America - he said that he knew this world because he had lived in it (ie. the 'voice of reason and authority' was very much a Communist one. In fact, the English critic, Dilys Powell saw the movie as an allegory of Communist Czechoslovakia) and leads into all kinds of ways of analysing this movie, chiefly that we are all inmates of a system that seeks to control us and limit our freedoms
2. This is a very funny movie, as you say, which works to make the ending so devastating. Mixing comedy and tragedy is a potent dramatic combination.
3. Finally, much like The Shawshank Redemption, the story of one man leading another to freedom is also very powerful. Of course, here, it is the sacrifice of one which leads to the liberation of the other. And this combination in the ending brings tears of sadness and joy as the multi-layered meanings begin to kick in.
fantastic comment, thank you!
Great video! The way you touch on many different subjects the movie brings up keeps things fresh, while giving visual hints is both inspiring and entertaining.
The nurse uses sweetness and an angelic touch/approach to confront the inmates' most traumatic issues, to almost force them into a nervous breakdown, intentionally. And this has nothing to do with her desire to help, but rather to destabilize the person. It's impressive. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to disagree with you about the comparison between the book and the film. I saw the film and later learned that in the book McMurphy managed to achieve his goal: when he tries to suffocate the nurse, his desire is to leave the woman mute, forever! She has always used her voice to destroy patients (to show power), and McMurphy knows that taking her voice away will be a blessing for everyone. In the book this is clear, in the film this is not the case, because after the attack she suffers, we can see her speaking again. It is not in the book. So the film removes from the scene the greatest victory that McMurphy achieved!
McMurphy was responsible for opening the chief Bromden's eyes to seek freedom and, after the chief saw what happened to his friend, he gave McMurphy something that the poor (lobotized) man could never receive from anyone, the chief gave McMurphy physical and spiritual freedom, suffocating his friend so he could have the greatest escape of all, away from the hospital, away from the nurse. Chief Bromden took McMurphy with him!
Love this movie, although I find the book still better personally. Also I love the shoutout at the end!
Love your videos and perspectives sir! Always learn a lot and my appreciation for cinema is enriched.
thank you!
I think what's striking is the way the characters tics and / or other disadvanteges or challenging various areas highlighted were equally funny for the bizzar breaks from norm expected enfoldment of procedures like a
in a basket ball match would be understood as general common knowledge. Even more important was the showing human assets shining at times and also presenting believable individuals with functioning feelings for anger frustration fear distrust but also joy, pride desire interaction etc. In other words it showed us the cinematic artform on how to have an impuls into what over decades and with the input of thought revision evaluation and so on decades later surfaced as the concept INCLUSION, it also gave an entertaining reality check on need to address the systems in place and get presented with the possible outcome to fight for a cause, helping one out of a full ward. And it made the vital point why these fights needs to be taken on because no superpower or knight will appear with a bang to take it on for you. It also showcased the equal excellence of which a woman can portrait a scary monster of a villain and own the scenes and win audience. This fact was very much doubted to be the case with most femal actors and the production managements and also within common assumption generally speaking and without providing difference by gender focused evaluation.
thank you
This is my favorite and what I believe to be the greatest movie of all time, along with Jack being my favorite / imo the greatest actor. It would be great if you could do something like a "What Makes This Actor Great?' video on Jack if possible!! great video too bro
Excellent movie! I've valued it since I was a kid.
I saw it when I was 14...my first time understanding what a great movie can be...
The book is much more multilayered and somber. Although the movie is finely made and it is a masterpiece of contemporary art.
This movie is simultaneously one of the saddest, funniest, most depressing, and most inspiring films you will ever watch.
Good stuff. Nicholson's best role?
Nicholson seems slightly mad in lots of his roles, similarly as does Peter Sellars. Many of Nicholson's facial expressions and reactions in this film remind me of Sellars.
Sellers.
not sure what his best role is. At some point I'll do a Nicholson tribute video. That's been on my mind for years.
Well, it starts with the book, and then it’s the character of McMurphy, but obviously Jack had tons and tons to do with the movie being so great while still being quite authentic to the book. Clearly, Jack brings out the best in almost every actress hes ever worked with, but Louise Fletcher should get a huge chunk of the praise heaped on this film because she was completely spectacular!
40 years ago my highschool teacher told us that Milos Forman studyed the nativ american culture and one of its Myth is that the Messiah came into the world at sunrise, saved one person, died and the person how was saved became the new Messiah. Mcmarphey araived to the hospitol at dawn, ....... the indian ascape at dawn.
Must have watched this film more than 100 times my favourite movie ever
Got this original VHS tape!
I'm pissed I couldn't find my book today so I had to watch the movie, there are key elements in the book that the chief was the narrator. Amazing movie/book dude
I'll bet a dime. - Mancini.
Reading the book now. Seems they left the paranoia schizophrenia out of Chief's character in the movie. But since he's the narrator in the book, I guess they couldn't figure out how to fit it in.
Jack.
2nd best movie ever
Top 10 most impactful movies on my life, for reasons I'd rather not go into.
Top 5
Nurse Ratchett is most women...#StaySingle
Interseting commentary. However, I think you missed what the subtext of this movie is about. This movie is not about socio-economics or politics. It is also not a Western or a commentary about the Vietnam War.
Let me ask you a question: What do these following movies all have in common? "E.T. The Extraterrestial", "The Day The Earth Stood Still", and "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest"?
They are all the story of Jesus.
In the Messiah story, the messiah must die at the end, or the story doesn't work. The Chief suffocates McMurphy because he knows the other patients cannot see McMurphy in his vegetative state after Nurse Ratchet orders the lobotomy.
Nurse Ratchet is the Pontius Pilate character, the other patients are the disciples. At the end of the story, the other men, who are mostly in the mental hospital voluntarily, decide to leave and carry on with their lives. The Chief reveals to McMurphy, over a piece of Juicy Fruit chewing gum, that he can, and has always been able to hear and speak.
Ken Kesey mentioned in an interview that he drew inspiration for this story after reading about Jesus.
Let me know what you think about this perspective. There are a lot of movies which have the same underlying subtext, but are very cleverly hidden from the audience.