Reflections on "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s
Nest"
Directed by Milos Forman
Screenplay by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman,
based on the novel by Ken Kesey
Starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, William
Redfield et al.
For me,
"Cuckoo’s Nest" is concerned principally with the place of the
individual in society and the means by which certain elements of society seek
to impose order and exercise control, sometimes at the expense of the
individual’s (mental) health, but certainly at the expense of independence and
freedom.
The
hospital of the film/book is society in microcosm, with the patients displaying
(or representing) problems in coping with life and the pressures they feel in
the exercise of their social functions. However, it also represents the ways
(discreet and quite indiscreet) in which "society" applies pressure
on the individual to conform to what is regarded as the "norm" in
terms of behaviour and attitude.
An
essential point to note is that the story is not concerned with so-called
"lunatics". These men have not lost their minds – they are simply
having difficulty in coping with the problems and pressures thrown at them by
society. As such they inspire pathos, sympathy and compassion. More importantly
still, we could all succumb to similar pressures and end up in a similar
position.
Behind
the outwardly caring and helpful façade of (mental) health care lies a subtle
and widespread attempt to enforce compliance and acceptance of authority. This
is achieved not just through the clear manifestation of physical discipline and
control, but also (and more effectively) through the use of "therapy"
in which the analysis of a problem not only assumes the very existence of and
responsibility for such a problem, but actually promotes and aggravates it as
patients reflect and brood on their problems, doing nothing to diminish them
and instead blowing them out of all proportion.
Into
this centre comes Randall Patrick McMurphy (are we to read significance into
the initials RPM?), a highly sociable free spirit who seems to offer an
alternative to inward-dwelling reflection in the form of socialisation. He
treats his fellow inmates as equals, is not judgmental (beyond displaying human
and perfectly understandable frustration), accepting his new friends for what
they are and offering them the chance to forget their problems, or at least to
keep them in proportion as he involves them in one defiant scheme after
another.
In
contrast, Nurse Ratched is a tool of society, used to exercise order and
control. This she achieves less by direct confrontation and more by subtle
means such as playing on and maintaining character weaknesses, undermining
self-confidence, and constantly "rubbing salt in open wounds" through
therapy sessions, the consequence of which is to maintain the malleability and
suggestibility of her patients.
She may
represent any element of society which seeks to oppress or "depress"
other elements, rather than being seen merely as the instrument of bureaucratic
control. There are many who delight in the weaknesses of others and who derive
pleasure and strength from the torment they inflict. Nurse Ratched, and indeed
the entire hospital may be seen as representative of coercive and intolerant
elements of society at large.
Another
"message" to come out of the film is that we can change the structure
of our society – if we have the courage and determination to do so.
R. P.
McMurphy is one such determined man. He is a natural, highly sociable free
spirit who challenges Nurse Ratched’s authority because he resents by instinct
her frequently underhand tactics of maintaining authority. It is worth noting
that it is not so much order itself he rejects (he may even see the necessity
of some order), but more the ways in which order is achieved, and perhaps the
extremes to which Nurse Ratched is prepared to go.
His
determination and actions reflect a relatively simple man who is just what he
appears to be. He is open and has no "side". He is mischievous and
fun-seeking, yet he is thoughtful and sensitive to the condition and plight of
his fellow inmates. When he acts, he acts by nature rather than by reflection.
He fails to see the bigger picture and certainly does not consider matters of
principle. He acts simply according to his conscience and does what he feels is
right. Harding and the others would perhaps like to be able to act in this way,
but they have questioned themselves (and doubted themselves) to such an extent
that they have lost confidence and can no longer function as "normal"
members of society. McMurphy remains unfettered by such considerations and as
such represents a considerable challenge to the domineering elements of
society, though he himself fails to understand what he represents to both the
hospital administration and his fellow inmates.
It
seems to me that McMurphy means and does no great harm, but he is a constant
thorn in the side of the authorities as he doesn’t take life too seriously,
while those around him (authorities and inmates) appear to have created
problems for themselves exactly in taking life too seriously and allowing
matters to get out of proportion.
Nurse
Ratched appears to be caring and well intentioned – she may even believe that
in thwarting McMurphy’s plans for change and various other schemes she is
acting for the greater good of her patients. However, as McMurphy’s challenges
become ever more "dangerous", she shows her mettle and doesn’t flinch
from taking measures to ensure continued adherence to the rules. Indeed, it is
only at the end that we see just how far she will go to enforce her authority,
casting aside individual success and welfare merely in an effort to establish
her own position.
We do
not feel that Nurse Ratched is warm and caring. She is polite and pleasant, but
cold. This is a job she does well, but it remains that – a job. She fulfils her
function and is very proud of her position of authority, pride which leads her
to place her position above the well-being of her patients. So incensed is she
at the undermining of her position that she ignores the clear progress made by
Billy and sets about restoring her order – at the expense of Billy’s
improvement, indeed of his life.
The
film has been accused of being morally unambiguous compared to the book. In the
book Kesey cleverly used descriptions provided by the mentally ill Chief to
communicate atmosphere and a general sense of being "lost" and
hopelessness, but McMurphy’s arrival leads to clarity, hope and purpose. My
recollection of the book is not one of any particular moral ambiguity, indeed
the Chief’s "fog" implies disapproval of the "system",
though there may be more sympathy for, and an attempt to understand Nurse
Ratched, while in the film her character is hardly "explored", but is
rather a sort of gauge by which to judge the more rigid and blinkered aspects
of society. Nonetheless both the book and the film are clearly travelling in
the same direction, and the film script/performances may even have added
greater humanity and sympathy than were present in the book.
It has
been suggested, and I have frequently thought that McMurphy may be regarded as
an almost Christ-like figure.
Let us
consider some of the reasons for this:
McMurphy
challenges the status quo, and threatens to subvert authority.
He
"cures" the sick (by inspiring confidence, the lack of which has
caused most of the inmates’ problems).
His
fellow inmates may be regarded as his "disciples".
He is
"betrayed" by Billy, as Judas betrayed Jesus.
There
is a "last supper" of sorts.
McMurphy
dies for others’ "sins", or at least in trying to help them overcome
their "sins".
In
death, McMurphy inspires the others to believe in themselves and in something
greater than the imposed status quo.
Although
McMurphy dies, it is nonetheless a spiritually uplifting ending. His spirit
continues in the hearts and minds of his fellow inmates (and the audience),
especially the Chief who has grown in confidence enough to be able to escape
and live his own life. In death McMurphy’s spirit and inspiration have
developed well beyond any influence he might have been able to exercise as a
"patient".
The
film
Both
the script and direction managed to mix humour, pathos, tension, sociology, and
even (to some extent) religion! It had, of course, excellent base material by
Ken Kesey, but it was brilliantly brought to life (and perhaps even clarified
for some, though I can understand the various qualms expressed about the book
to film adaptation) with love and respect.
The
performances of the "lunatics" are uniformly excellent, and none more
than that of Jack Nicholson as McMurphy. The producers of the film were on
potentially dangerous ground given the context and the content of the film –
they could easily have fallen into sentimentality or might have created a
"cold" film about treatment of the mentally ill. As it is, our
emotions are fully engaged without drifting into sentimentality, and we feel
great sympathy and pathos for the characters. These characters could also quite
easily have been sacrificed to the themes of the film, but the script allows
the themes to arise from the conflict between the characters, rather than have
the characters illustrate the themes of the film.
It
would probably not have been too difficult to elicit sympathy through these
characters, nor to make a hero of a rebel in an unfair regime, but to achieve
this with humour, warmth, and above all in creating a depth of feeling and
caring for these people (and a genuine sense of shock and loss when McMurphy is
killed) is a marvelous achievement, and it is this emotional element (for which
all involved in the production should share credit) which elevates the material
to the highest level. Our emotional engagement allows what could have been a
dry or intellectual artistic exercise to evolve into a profoundly human tale of
love, tolerance and understanding.
I think
the music (by Jack Nitzsche) deserves a most honourable mention – not only does
it underline emotion, it enhances it and even creates in itself an emotional
response to a situation. I’m thinking particularly of the Chief’s escape where
the music captures loss, defiance, strength and nobility.
My
thanks for taking the time to read this article. I hope you found it of some
value.
Stuart Fernie (stuartfernie@yahoo.co.uk)
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