Critique of the Film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

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The film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is considered one of the greatest films in American films and was directed by Milos Forman. The film, which adapted from Ken Kesey’s popular novel by the same name, was filmed in the Oregon State Hospital which is a real mental institution. The perspective through which the film is presented from indicates a theme of allegory where rebellion is pitted against tyrannical authority coupled with a quest to maintain the status quo of in-mates and the established authority. Via the keen eyes for details, the film unfolds the matriarchal leadership of tyrannical Big Nurse Ratched who keeps the mentally disturbed men in line. The new in-mate Randall Patrick McMurphy is fun-loving and likes scuffles resolved as opposed to Big Nurse Ratched which brings out conflict in the plot. The film is a classic and intellectual attainment of the director who delves in the psychiatric ward and presents interesting facts and reality that desires change and embracing of new attitudes. The strongly brings out characters with stage presence, themes of rebellion and oppression, as well as build on compelling social commentary (Constanzo 1839). In the film, the ingenuity of Forman is seen in the way he personifies the character of McMurphy through Jack Nicholson where he lives free or ultimately dies in what can be practically seen as a mercy killing act. The setting and characterization of Forman is quite impressive in the way it dramatizes the insubordination and rebellion against the oppressive authority that denies the in-mates rights to freedom and self-expression. As the film events unfold to the audience, the wilderness of Oregonian at dawn exposes the audience to the mental institution where the head admini... ... middle of paper ... ...usion, the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Milos Forman succeeds in characterization, setting and achieving social commentary position that is quite influential in inspiring masses through the themes; oppression and rebellion. Even though McMurphy is just like every in-mate in this mental institution, he endeavors to change the status-quo that Nurse Ratched is determined to maintain. Ratched’s leadership and authority is representative of the oppressive regimes that are bound to be changed with the conscientization of masses. Works Cited Constanzo, William V. “Writing About Film.” Exploring Literature: Writing About Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Essay. 3rd ed. Ed. Frank Madden. New York: Pearson Longman, 2006. 1338-1344 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Dir. Milos Forman. Prod. Saul Zaentz and Michael Douglas. Videocassette. United Artists Films, 1975.

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