A boozer named McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) is taken by police to a mental institution to be evaluated where he battles wills with a nurse who appears to enjoy her superiority over the others. Superb acting draws you in to people's lives who seem like they are more scared of society (and themselves) than they are mentally ill. One of the kewlest moments in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST is the "baseball" scene with McMurphy doing the play-by-play. He also makes friends and laughs it up with the inmates. But I think the sobering reality that he doesn't belong there creates drama and endangers the lives of his new friends. The irony that he is therapeutic for them is not lost on the viewer but it alerts them that there is a climactic event coming that will pit the establishment against McMurphy. [4.2 stars]
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