Another Testament to the Cultural Significance of the Simpsons

(#17) Watch 25 classic movies.

1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

I’ve been putting off watching this movie because, as with most movies based on books, I wanted to read the book first. But with an ever-growing list of books to read, I decided to just go for it this time.

I think it is a testament to good movie-making that I now want to read the book even more. 

Yes, I know that Ken Kesey said that they were butchering his work and absolutely refused to watch it. But the only problem I saw from a film-making perspective was that they tried to fit too much content into two hours. Which means the book should be even better.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, set in 1963 in Oregon, is the story of Randle McMurphy, a convict who pretends to be crazy in order to “escape” from prison and be sent to a mental institution instead. In a classic case of the cement is always greener on the other side of the iron bars, Randle finds out that the nuthouse isn’t all he had dreamed it to be.

Led by the infamous Nurse Ratched, who has since become a symbol of systematic repression, the hospital employs a routine of humiliation and subtle mind-control that numbs patients into submission. When McMurphy tries to shake things up, she tightens the noose on him even more than the others, and an epic power struggle ensues.

Nurse Ratched and Billy

Jack Nicholson is probably one of the most famous elements from this movie, and while I’m beginning to think he is just playing himself in these types of roles, I think he deserved the Oscar that he won. I think the real stars of the movie though were the supporting actors- Billy, the Chief, Martini, et al. I’ll never forget the scene (shortly after the image above) where Billy is dragged away, begging Nurse Ratched not to tell his mother about his indiscretion. Or the look on the Chief’s face in the last scene…if it hasn’t been spoiled for you already I won’t spoil it now! The interactions between all of the characters are what made this movie so memorable, and what made me want to learn more about them in the book.

The movie is a little off-beat and not for the mentally squeamish. But it is definitely intriguing and well made. I would say it is worth watching.


Also, when I included this list item I chose movies that had cultural significance- in and of themselves but also in pop culture. So I’m happy to say that I finally understand the episode of the Simpsons called "The Old Man and the C Student" where Bart breaks the old people out of the nursing home and takes them fishing. Also the birth of the infamous "Chief Break Everything."