Tanya’s Score: Great*
Rated: 14A
Starring: a couple of alum from the movie The Shining (1980), a couple of alum from the tv show Taxi, “Get off my train” from Ghost (1990)
Plot: A petty criminal (Jack Nicholson) is sent to a mental institution for evaluation where he proceeds to butt heads with the head nurse (Louise Fletcher), rile the rest of the patients up while also providing them with confidence and even hope.
Tanya’s Verdict: This is a great book – and an amazing movie. It’s funny and dramatic, light-hearted and serious, depressing and hopeful – all at the same time.
Nicholson’s McMurphy character is shrewd yet sympathetic, criminal yet charming. Fletcher’s iconic Nurse Ratched is cool and calculated, polished yet frightening. There is a good versus evil battle happening between the two of them that is nothing short of riveting.
Despite being made in the 1970s, the movie looks great and does not come across as dated whatsoever. It reminded me of how amazing Jack Nicholson is as an actor (as well as Louise Fletcher) and of how cute Danny DeVito used to be. Both my girls were captivated by the compelling characters and the interesting storyline. So was I – even though this was my second time around.
*Four score descriptions: Sh**; Okay; Good; Great