One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

The film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" received many awards for its authenticity, mainly because the Director and Producer of this film decided to make the extra effort and sit in on group therapy sessions in mental institutions. They probably did this to get a good feel for how things work, the procedures that the staff did throughout each patient’s treatment, and how people acted during their group therapy sessions. This was essential for the filmmakers because it allowed them to know when they were getting the best, most realistic performance out of each actor. They would not be able to do that without seeing people in those real life situations.

Jack Nicholson did deserve the awards he received for playing the role of McMurphy, because he was not only believable in his performance, but he was also able to remain likeable to the audience while he did everything in his power to piss people off. Some people are just like that, they like to prod and poke at people to not only irritate them, but to see if they can push them over the edge and make them flip out. Jack Nicholson did this beautifully, while also being able to make people empathize with his situation, even though he brought it on himself.

Louise Fletcher was also brilliant in her role as Nurse Ratched, because she was able to convey the cold, unfeeling nature of her job, while also not allowing people to empathize with her at all. She made her part in the movie seem very believable, which makes you wonder if she is really like that in real life. The end where she tears into one of the patients, making fun of him, and telling him she was going to call his mom, was very intense, because it was the first time that you were able to see her human side. The rest of the time was spent waiting for her to crack, so when it did finally happen, that just made it that much more satisfying, because you were finally able to see that she was indeed a real, feeling person, not just an uncaring, unfeeling robot.