I wish I was kidding, but I am serious. Growing up I always considered it an "old" movie. I didn't pay much attention to the fact that it existed until I saw it on Netflix, then I figured I would give it a shot. This is one of those films where I can see why people like Jack Nicholson. It was a great performance, but that ending. I mean, you knew it was going to happen, but was it necessary?

Do they still do that in psych wards?

I think it was necessary. The Big Chief never would have found himself if they didn't pull the trigger on it. I can't remember who stayed with the group after Billy killed himself. I remember Harding was gone, I think most of the guys were gone, except for Tabor, who was the only one actually committed besides MacMurphy. The movie isn't about MacMurphy, he was just a catalyst so the other guys could free themselves from the bullshit.

Nurse Ratched is probably one of the most villainous characters put on film. She had no compassion for the people in her care, it was about humiliation and oppression not about rehabilitation with her. I don't see how anyone could side with that, but those were the 70's after all, things were a lot different.

See, this is why I wanted to talk about it before I saw it again! I didn't see her that way! I didn't think it was conscious on her part. I think the results were an offshoot of her methods. Maybe she did want to hurt people, I'll have to watch it again.

See, this is why I wanted to talk about it before I saw it again! I didn't see her that way! I didn't think it was conscious on her part. I think the results were an offshoot of her methods. Maybe she did want to hurt people, I'll have to watch it again.

I think it is personal perspective really. I thought she was calculating and evil. At one point she may have been compassionate, but I think her years in the ward turned her into an automaton. She was working with people with outdated methods, going through the motions but had distanced herself from the humanitarian side she may once have had.

I think what was left was manipulative and domineering. Whether that was her intent or not I don't know.

Nurse Ratchett was evil. She took pleasure in belittling others. I don't remember the characters name...but when she shamed him and asked if his mother would approve of what he did...he commited suicide. That's an evil person.
When someone here called me nurse Ratchett.....it peeved me but good.

I watched this for the first time in my highschool psychology class. We had to get permission slips signed by our parents because we watched the original, unedited version. I remember about half the class had to go to the library that day because their parents wouldn't sign the slip.

Disturrbing movie about not being in control I think. I should rewatch it and see how it holds up.

It's funny you posted this, cc. I just watched one of the Potter films that kind of reminded me of that film. It was The Order of the Phoenix.

Dolores Umbridge, and the ministry decided Hogwarts was being run into the ground. The fanatical Umbridge was allowed to take over Hogwarts, denying that there was a very real threat out there in the form of Voldemort. She, along with the ministry, insisted the only problem was that the teachers, students, and Dumbledore with their lack of disciple, and conformity to The Ministry's decrees. She restricted everyone severely, and took away their ability to defend themselves.

The students decided not to just lie down and play along. They knew what the real threat was and some of them knew how to fight it. They got together, and the more seasoned students helped train the others to take on the threat to their way of life.

Naturally, in the movie, the good guys won. Umbridge, who was so detatched from reason, and the ministry, with their own set of agendas (which had nothing to do with what was actually best for the students, the school, or the wizard community) was exposed, and embarrased. The real enemy, Voldemort, was set back for a spell, and life progressed to the next film.

Ratched and Umbridge had a lot in common. The power, the fanaticism, the willingness to crush anyone who doesn't lie down for them. Doing it all while maintaining a phony smile. How could anyone love characters like them?

Now Marry Poppins was cool. She helped the kids stand up for themselves, and taught them to take care of themselves. Quite the opposite of the mean old lady characters of Ratched and Umbridge.

Now that you word it that way, they sound like awesome characters!

Cuckoo's Nest was a good film, one of Jack Nicholson's best performances.
You hated that nurse and her manipulations, at least I did.

I've never read the book nor seen the film.

My sweet and sensitive nature forbids it.

(How do you access the smilies now?)

Click "Go advanced" button on the reply. This will give you the option to insert over 200 mother f:censored: smilies.