One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest

A truly good and interesting movie. I’m not too keen on Jack Nicholson, but here he gives an excellent performance and his McMurphy is a really great piece of acting, but equally great is Will Sampson in the role of the taciturn Chief. In fact, all of the acting performances deserve admiration. Perfect nutters :-). And Louise Fletcher as the dictatorial nurse is asking to be strangled. Forman’s masterpiece. (02/27/2007)

I've had this legendary film queued up for a long time, and it took me a while to get to it. I finally saw it, and I must say, it's a truly intense spectacle. Some of the actors play their madmen absolutely brilliantly. Danny DeVito is absolutely captivating, but it's clear that the main attention is focused on Nicholson and Fletcher. I like that the conflict isn't usually direct but more like a cold war. It builds up beautifully. Each scene has its strength, even if its climax may come gradually. When you want to create hell, you don't need demons. (03/13/2014)

What more can I say about this cinematic gem when practically everything has been said. This film stands especially on the performances of the many actors involved: the bohemian Jack Nicholson, the devilish Louise Fletcher, the good-natured Will Sampson, the dim-witted Brad Dourif, all of whom give wonderful performances. It is because of them, and the oppressive mental hospital setting that almost always works, that this film the most celebrated Czech director is a cinematic gem of the highest quality. In short, a beautiful made film for which we can be truly grateful to Miloš Forman. (09/17/2011)

Miracles happen sometimes. This low-budget film nobody expected anything from and by a director with almost no reputation, went on to become a worldwide hit, winner of five major Oscars and a pearl of world cinema. Louise Fletcher, as Nurse Mildred, is one of the most repulsive creatures and the final scene one of the most emotional and moving in the history of cinema. (04/13/2003)

Excellent, but I can’t give it a full score, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest didn’t impress me enough for that. Besides, I doubt the film was supposed to make me sympathise with the character of Louise Fletcher, and that Nicholson’s character was supposed to get on my nerves. The nuthouse is a brilliantly depressive setting, but the film never managed to transmit that very well to me as a viewer. It just failed to leave me with that unique 100% impression. 85% (09/16/2008)