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An excellent film in all respects, which, like wine, matures in your head over the viewings. The combination of Milos Forman being on top form and the frantic acting of Jack Nicholson is simply mesmerising. And I could point out every aspect of the film in that same way. In short, a truly legendary piece of work. (2018-04-19)

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. (2007-02-27)

As a local film reviewer who has been writing movie reviews for about 7 years, it’s quite a shame not to have written something about this 45-year-old classic. I must start by saying that Jack Nicholson is a true acting genius. He has proven this in many films, and here he confirms that when he fully immerses himself in a role, he can deliver a legendary performance that will be recorded in cinematic history. His character, McMurphy, who treats everything with humor, is full of biting remarks and always has the last word, is one of the most exquisitely written characters, and it is even better translated to the screen. But besides him, the rest of the cast doesn't just play second fiddle; the supporting characters also shine in many ways (for example, DeVito as Martini is a great showcase of his talent). Louise Fletcher, most likely a deserved Oscar winner, was fascinating to watch as her anger and indignation slowly boiled over with the increasing runtime, culminating in an inevitable explosion. And the ending is truly a genius affair; the scene by the bed with the Chief was emotionally overwhelming. It was expected, but Miloš Forman presented it with such mastery that you were left with your mouth agape. Literally. A powerful film that leaves an even stronger impact. For me, it gets 90%. (2020-09-20)

Clearly the best of Miloš Forman, the best of Jack Nicholson, and one of the most works I most admire. If I had to objectively state one film that deserves the highest rating from everyone, I would say it is indeed One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The actors compete over who does the best acting job – whether it's Randall, the head nurse, or any of the other crazies, they are all incredibly believable. For me, the best was the Indian, also because of the ending, where my jaw dropped and stayed hanging open for quite some time. (2005-12-31)

It may be surprising in connection with the name of Miloš Forman, but his name always comes to mind whenever I think of political motifs in film-making, specifically left-wing political concepts. While his films don't feature revolutions or strike movements, nor are they simple and clear political manifestos, Forman works in a complex way with the basic ideals of intellectual leftism and depicts in his films the boundaries of human freedom, democracy, and equality. For example, in Ragtime, he explores the issue of racial emancipation, in Hair the anti-war movement, and in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, as an uninvolved observer, he follows the perennial conflict between authoritarianism, hiding behind competence and responsibility for the entrusted flock, represented by the "big" sister, and between free-thinking and anarchy represented by the volatile character portrayed by Jack Nicholson. On one hand, there is responsibility, but do we even know if those who decide are always selfless and just? On the other hand, are those who operate under the concept of absolute freedom capable of bearing the responsibility for the consequences of their actions, and would a society composed solely of McMurphys function? Wouldn't what we admire in his fight for his own rights soon be at our throats if it surrounded us? And above all, is democratic voting in a society composed of average individuals often with poor education, low intelligence, and minimal motivation the best way to govern society? Doesn't democratic choice when appointing a political position equate to voting by incapacitated patients in a psychiatric institution? From an acting, directing, and screenwriting perspective, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is one of the peaks of world cinema, and Forman has rightfully become a legend of American cinema. Overall impression: 100%. (2012-01-14)