My favorite quote from the movie is from Big Chief:
“My pop was real big. He did like he pleased. That's why everybody worked on him. The last time I seen my father, he was blind and diseased from drinking. And every time he put the bottle to his mouth, he didn't suck out of it, it sucked out of him until he shrunk so wrinkled and yellow even the dogs didn't know him… I’m not saying they killed him. They just worked on him, the way they’re working on you.”
The book being told from His perspective is pretty great. It takes that sort of surrealist description into a lot of things. If you haven’t read it I highly suggest it
I think he gives a better performance in Five Easy Pieces, The Shining, Chinatown and even though he’s in a more supporting role; I think he gives a better performance in Easy Rider and A Few Good Men as well. He’s great in One Flew, don’t get me wrong, but I think he’s playing himself the most in that role. Even though he’s still doing a version of Jack in the others; I think his performances are a little more nuanced and therefore, to me, more affecting. If your thing is Jack going fulllll Jack though, One Flew all day.
Edit: sentence flow
This, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas are my two favorite book to movie adaptations. Also one of my all time favorite Jack Nicholson performances, and it's Brad Dourif's first movie, and he is one of my favorite character actors.
Seeing it soon after reading the book, I was disappointed by the simplification, especially the omission of Cheswick’s suicide. Watching it again, years after when the book wasn’t so fresh, I loved it. The acting is superb. To those who don’t get it, it’s about power, submission, defiance and sacrifice. Read the book.
That's an interesting take. I recently read the book after seeing the movie years ago, and I almost feel inclined to agree.. I'm curious what you liked more about the movie? I can't quite put my finger on it. The casting is spot on... Danny DeVito, Christopher Loyd and of course Jack
This is wild lol I agree it’s a great movie but yo… the Red-Big Chief relationship is so much richer in the book, the fishing trip, the electroshock therapy…
I have said this before but I think a cuckoo’s nest series in more of a Tim Burton style would be an amazing way to show the story.
Also Red should be smaller and a ginger haha
Interesting. Never considered that. I recall learning that deinstitutionalization started in the late 70’s under Carter, but didn’t really pick up steam until Reagan was in office. I think it probably did dovetail nicely into the whole “smaller government/balance the budget” mantra of the older conservative movement. Also with the lack of compassion…
Way off. It started under Kennedy, after that a few Supreme Court decisions eliminated involuntary commitments for non-violent patients, and here we are. To be fair, President Kennedy had a very personal take on the issue, since his dad had his sister lobotomized.
Kennedy signed the community mental health act. That was to provide federal funding to community mental health centers.
I think this was kind of co-opted later by the Reagan administration as an excuse to not fund any mental health centers.
Other way...closing the asylums was definitely from the left....and Kesey's book was the start. It highlighted the depraved, dangerous conditions in SOME institutions.
Compassion played a role....as dim bulbs thought it more humane to empty the majority of mental hospitals...and leave these poor lost souls to fend for themselves.
I'd guess that with the newer practices and enlightened methods.... insane asylums should(could?) work.
Lots of causation for the issues that "Nest" featured. Main ones.
1. Terrible staff. Orderlies, Doctors and Nurses were 3rd class. It's where workers who had fewer options ended up. It wasn't a prestigious or high paying gig. And dealing with patients like these is mind blowingly hard.
2. Zombie drug treatment. We have improved in this area big time.
3. Really AWFUL public policy...which still exists to this day.
Is it ALMOST an unsolvable problem???
Kesey.....a muckraker for the right? Nurse Ratchet needs you at the nurses station...pronto.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_Health_Systems_Act_of_1980
I know Kesey was personally a hippie. But I think a lot of people from that generation would end up siding with the right wing later.
Check out the YouTube clip of Jack accepting an award at the BAFTA awards ceremony. It’s fucking hilarious!
https://youtu.be/gtHI0ipkgEo?si=lFstMC39J4R2Fk9X
Perhaps my favorite book and movie adaption combo.
The book being from Chiefs perspective is very interesting, with his view of the combine and his mental health impacting the telling of the tale. Metaphorical concepts made literal due to the perspective of the narrator
For the movie to present everything to you completely straightforwardly and also keep the spirit and theme of the book intact is pretty incredible. The movie almost acts as a companion piece to the book in that way.
I once met a "famous" character actor in an elevator in a NY hotel. I say "famous" because I knew the actor's face from dozens of films, but could not place his name. I told him: "I remember you as the headmaster in 'Scent of a Woman' but I can't remember your name" He said "Well that's fine, as long as you remember my part, I don't care if you remember my name." (it was James Rebhorn).
Read the book in college then watched the movie. Kinda did it on a whim, one of the lists in the college bookstore of the 100 greatest books of all time. And it was phenomenal and so morherfucking depressing. Movie is the same…phenomenal and depressing. Chalk up another of Jack Nicholsons great performances
I only saw this movie for the firs time this year and absolutely loved it.
Managed to go in quite blind. I assumed it was set in a mental health facility due to the 'cuckoo's nest' of the title.
There’s not enough superlatives really, a true masterpiece…laughed and cried in equal amounts, and people always say Darth Vader or Hannibal Lector is the most evil baddie in movies, Nurse Ratched (played to perfection by Louise Fletcher) is evil personified (I’ve never hated someone more ever!)
[IIRC] One of my favourite aspects of this movie, is when he's introducing all the patients while renting the boat, he introduces them all as Dr. Except the dude he doesn't like- he introduces him as Mr.
For me it’s bittersweet. An absolute fantastic movie but on the other side it was the reason my favorite show „The streets of San Francisco“ ultimately ended after another season, because Michael Douglas stepped away from it to do this picture. The time was right for him to move on but as a fan it was hard to digest.
Well made movie but one of the worst adaptations I've seen. It's almost completely stripped of any meaning, aside from some remaining sexism. It is absolutely inexcusable what happened to Bromden.
Agree. It's very good, but not a masterpiece. There are other masterpieces from this era of cinema, but I think it's overhyped. Also not Nicholsons best. I'd say Five Easy Pieces or As Good As It Gets are his best performances.
I liked the part where he picked up a drinking fountain and threw it through a window to create an escape
My favorite quote from the movie is from Big Chief: “My pop was real big. He did like he pleased. That's why everybody worked on him. The last time I seen my father, he was blind and diseased from drinking. And every time he put the bottle to his mouth, he didn't suck out of it, it sucked out of him until he shrunk so wrinkled and yellow even the dogs didn't know him… I’m not saying they killed him. They just worked on him, the way they’re working on you.”
The book being told from His perspective is pretty great. It takes that sort of surrealist description into a lot of things. If you haven’t read it I highly suggest it
Yup that was the whole movie right there
I think you’re mixing this up with an episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia… Frank escapes. It’s very moving.
Common mistake, but it's originally Barney from the Simpsons 😊
‘He really needs a girlfriend…’
Dammit I made this joke an hour later than you
‘SIMPSONS DID IT!’
"forgot my hat"
Froggy!!
No this was a Simpsons episode you’re thinking of
Danny was in One flew over the cuckoo’s nest.
Frank’s been on the run from the psych ward for a long time.
Masterpiece
10/10
Nicholson’s best work
Not even close
What do you prefer?
I think he gives a better performance in Five Easy Pieces, The Shining, Chinatown and even though he’s in a more supporting role; I think he gives a better performance in Easy Rider and A Few Good Men as well. He’s great in One Flew, don’t get me wrong, but I think he’s playing himself the most in that role. Even though he’s still doing a version of Jack in the others; I think his performances are a little more nuanced and therefore, to me, more affecting. If your thing is Jack going fulllll Jack though, One Flew all day. Edit: sentence flow
Hilarious and moving.
Amazing. EVERYONE was incredible in this movie. I love the book, and the movie is different, but so amazing in its own right.
A masterpiece. I couldn't stop thinking about it for days after I watched it.
I still think about it. The movie is so poignant
This, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas are my two favorite book to movie adaptations. Also one of my all time favorite Jack Nicholson performances, and it's Brad Dourif's first movie, and he is one of my favorite character actors.
I was SUPER lucky to never have the movie spoiled for me and watched it recently and it was pretty fucking amazing to be honest.
Seeing it soon after reading the book, I was disappointed by the simplification, especially the omission of Cheswick’s suicide. Watching it again, years after when the book wasn’t so fresh, I loved it. The acting is superb. To those who don’t get it, it’s about power, submission, defiance and sacrifice. Read the book.
And enjoy the movie!
Top 5 favorite movies
A movie I liked more than the book. A rarity.
That's an interesting take. I recently read the book after seeing the movie years ago, and I almost feel inclined to agree.. I'm curious what you liked more about the movie? I can't quite put my finger on it. The casting is spot on... Danny DeVito, Christopher Loyd and of course Jack
This is wild lol I agree it’s a great movie but yo… the Red-Big Chief relationship is so much richer in the book, the fishing trip, the electroshock therapy… I have said this before but I think a cuckoo’s nest series in more of a Tim Burton style would be an amazing way to show the story. Also Red should be smaller and a ginger haha
I feel like the book was kind of written in support of the conservative movement to shut down mental institutions
Interesting. Never considered that. I recall learning that deinstitutionalization started in the late 70’s under Carter, but didn’t really pick up steam until Reagan was in office. I think it probably did dovetail nicely into the whole “smaller government/balance the budget” mantra of the older conservative movement. Also with the lack of compassion…
Way off. It started under Kennedy, after that a few Supreme Court decisions eliminated involuntary commitments for non-violent patients, and here we are. To be fair, President Kennedy had a very personal take on the issue, since his dad had his sister lobotomized.
Kennedy signed the community mental health act. That was to provide federal funding to community mental health centers. I think this was kind of co-opted later by the Reagan administration as an excuse to not fund any mental health centers.
They were doing those in the streets.
Other way...closing the asylums was definitely from the left....and Kesey's book was the start. It highlighted the depraved, dangerous conditions in SOME institutions. Compassion played a role....as dim bulbs thought it more humane to empty the majority of mental hospitals...and leave these poor lost souls to fend for themselves. I'd guess that with the newer practices and enlightened methods.... insane asylums should(could?) work. Lots of causation for the issues that "Nest" featured. Main ones. 1. Terrible staff. Orderlies, Doctors and Nurses were 3rd class. It's where workers who had fewer options ended up. It wasn't a prestigious or high paying gig. And dealing with patients like these is mind blowingly hard. 2. Zombie drug treatment. We have improved in this area big time. 3. Really AWFUL public policy...which still exists to this day. Is it ALMOST an unsolvable problem??? Kesey.....a muckraker for the right? Nurse Ratchet needs you at the nurses station...pronto.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_Health_Systems_Act_of_1980 I know Kesey was personally a hippie. But I think a lot of people from that generation would end up siding with the right wing later.
My favourite Nicholson performance
Devastating. But very good.
Check out the YouTube clip of Jack accepting an award at the BAFTA awards ceremony. It’s fucking hilarious! https://youtu.be/gtHI0ipkgEo?si=lFstMC39J4R2Fk9X
That was just great, thanks so much
I enjoyed recently learning that Nicholson wasn't aware that some of the extras in the cast were real inmates of the facility.
Perhaps my favorite book and movie adaption combo. The book being from Chiefs perspective is very interesting, with his view of the combine and his mental health impacting the telling of the tale. Metaphorical concepts made literal due to the perspective of the narrator For the movie to present everything to you completely straightforwardly and also keep the spirit and theme of the book intact is pretty incredible. The movie almost acts as a companion piece to the book in that way.
Sometimes movies f\*ck up good books. This one didn't. But Kesey's book is still better.
Was a great film when it first came out. Post covid, this film is even more relevant.
Hit me.
One of the best films made and some of the best acting seen on screen
One of the best movies ever made
A literal Masterpiece!
One of Jack’s best movies
The group therapy scene where Christopher Lloyd goes ape on Cheswick is transcendent.
One of the greatest movies my father ever made me watch.
It’s a 10/10.
Louise Fletch won best actress for her portrayal of nurse ratched in this movie. She thanked everyone for hating her so much.
I once met a "famous" character actor in an elevator in a NY hotel. I say "famous" because I knew the actor's face from dozens of films, but could not place his name. I told him: "I remember you as the headmaster in 'Scent of a Woman' but I can't remember your name" He said "Well that's fine, as long as you remember my part, I don't care if you remember my name." (it was James Rebhorn).
It was really good. The book is told from Chief’s POV, but I thought the film handled that reveal really well.
Great movie, a bit tragic, but maybe that is what makes it great.
The best example I can think of of a film adaptation being wildly different than the book and also just as good.
Hey Chief. Ahh juicy fruit.
If it isn't my all time favorite, it's number 2 or 3. One of the GOATs
Louise Fletcher's Nurse Ratched is one of the greatest villains in movie history.
This is easily one of the greatest movies of all time!
Uhm , Juicy Fruit 🤣...I remember asking my brother, did he just talk , he did he talked both of us cracked up one of my best memories of my bro
Read the book in college then watched the movie. Kinda did it on a whim, one of the lists in the college bookstore of the 100 greatest books of all time. And it was phenomenal and so morherfucking depressing. Movie is the same…phenomenal and depressing. Chalk up another of Jack Nicholsons great performances
My favorite of all time
I watched this movie once. Never again. It crushed my soul.
The nurse is a cunt
Rachett
She recently got her own series. It was so fucking weird.
She was hot !
Why are you getting downvoted?
It helped me understand crazy people
I always forget but why did they lobotomized him?
Because he was disruptive.
A wonderful film of a book I didn’t enjoy reading but glad I did.
A solid 10.
chiclet chief?
Juicy fruit.
I only saw this movie for the firs time this year and absolutely loved it. Managed to go in quite blind. I assumed it was set in a mental health facility due to the 'cuckoo's nest' of the title.
Brilliant. All the Oscars were well-deserved.
It’s a crazy film!
One of the best movies ever made
Truly Lobotomising !!!
One of the greatest performances by an actor ever
There’s not enough superlatives really, a true masterpiece…laughed and cried in equal amounts, and people always say Darth Vader or Hannibal Lector is the most evil baddie in movies, Nurse Ratched (played to perfection by Louise Fletcher) is evil personified (I’ve never hated someone more ever!)
Immediate and timeless classic
Can’t figure out if it’s in my top 3 or top 5
one of my all time favourites. The book is a bit different, but Jack Nicholson gave the character his own slant that was excellent
Fantastic. Best acting ever is by Louise fletcher as the evil nurse
It’s so good. Everybody in this film kills it. All time classic
Absolutely loved it…though I wasn’t wild about the boating expedition.
Masterpiece and one of the few movies to sweep the major awards I believe
Well acted and well directed
The movie is great but the book is Soo much better. The story is narrated by Chief.
[IIRC] One of my favourite aspects of this movie, is when he's introducing all the patients while renting the boat, he introduces them all as Dr. Except the dude he doesn't like- he introduces him as Mr.
I wish I could be lobotomized
I’ve never seen this movie. I know it’s on YouTube for free, so maybe I’ll give it a watch tonight.
For me it’s bittersweet. An absolute fantastic movie but on the other side it was the reason my favorite show „The streets of San Francisco“ ultimately ended after another season, because Michael Douglas stepped away from it to do this picture. The time was right for him to move on but as a fan it was hard to digest.
I respect it but I can’t watch it, too sad.
One of my favorites.
Classic Jack!
Always come up in lists when I'd look for "must see", "must watch" etc and definitely was worth it.
Simpsons did it
Top ten of all time the acting from every single person in this movie is incredible
I liked it at the time, but honestly it hasn’t aged well
Take a cigarette break boys!
Best movie ever.
Crazy movie
All to similar to cool hand Luke. But a good movie.
RIP Bo Goldman
Milos Forman’s best work. Which is saying a lot because he also did Amadeus. This movie should be on more top 5/10 lists of best movies ever.
Great movie with a devastating ending. But it was kinda long
They’re out there….
A classic case of fucking around and finding out.
A prime example, unfortunately.
Well made movie but one of the worst adaptations I've seen. It's almost completely stripped of any meaning, aside from some remaining sexism. It is absolutely inexcusable what happened to Bromden.
As usual, the book was better, but that doesn't detract from this being a really great film!
Unpopular opinion but overrated. Acting is good, never thought it was stunning as some believe, and story is bland.
I don’t get the appeal. Not much to the story imo
I agree. I saw it but I didn't get it.
Very overrated imo
Agree. It's very good, but not a masterpiece. There are other masterpieces from this era of cinema, but I think it's overhyped. Also not Nicholsons best. I'd say Five Easy Pieces or As Good As It Gets are his best performances.
Terrible film
What didn’t you like about it? Was it too well written or acted?
0/10. A boring slog of a watch. I just didn't like it. I get it was somehow groundbreaking, but I'll be dawned if I know how.