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You're reading a really old version of matt-thornton's website. For example, if you're looking at the movie reviews... you'll notice that none of them are of recent films. Indeed, I leave them here for posterity's sake, but I doubt very much that they'll get updated anytime soon. So have a giggle.
You might, if you're lucky, find something recent from Matt at his blog matt's debates. Kernow bys vyken.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
the one line review:
pre shining nicholson magic
the overview
This is a classic. It's been around a longass time and it still rates highly all the time. Critically acclaimed, this is one of the best known films of all times.
the plot:
Randall McMurphy (Nicholson) is a rapist who is sent from the penitentiary to a mental hospital to be evaluated as being a bit wacko. They all think he's faking it, but need a second opinion. He has to contend with Nurse Ratched (Fletcher) the dictator like head of ward, and a bunch of other suitably loonie inmates/patients. In his time there, he tries his hardest to ruffle the feathers, and wake the patients from their dribbling subconsciouses.
the verdict:
It's like the Green Mile, but on wacko-ward. I don't think the film has great direction. The cinematography is excellent - the scene is set and dressed well. But the film drifts through from scene to scene and the directorial motivation is not always obvious. Nicholson is unquestionably brilliant - he plays the drugged up, normal person being mental role brilliantly - this must have set him up for his role in The Shining. The others in it, including Christopher Lloyd (yes the mad professor in Back to the Future) amongst others, all do suitably good jobs with their various psychological ailments.
The trouble is, the film is just a bit too WTF to really rate highly in my book. It's a good film, but it's not a great film, basically because it's just so weird. But worth a watch.
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