 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
- Review Date: November 1, 2005
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 1975
Common Sense Media says
Classic and brilliant, but violence makes it teens only.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this adult drama laced with humor deals with life-and-death issues and is set in a hospital psychiatric ward. Intense situations alternate with comic moments, and underlying all are the weighty topics of tyranny, sacrifice, and the fragility of the human mind. There are scenes of sustained cruelty, forcible restraint of mental patients, fighting, and two deaths (including a suicide). Language is strong throughout: "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," "jerk off," and a multitude of other expressions, including slurs such as "queer," "dumb Indian" and more. Characters smoke constantly, drink, and get drunk in one out-of-control party sequence.
What's the story?
Three decades have done little to diminish the power of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST. Based on Ken Kesey's novel by the same name, the film addresses the trials of Randle Patrick McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), a petty criminal who decides to feign insanity to get out of time behind bars and into the easy life at the mental ward. Once inside the white-walled hospital, McMurphy finds himself pitted against Nurse Mildred Ratched (Louise Fletcher). While Nurse Ratched manipulates patients in group therapy and uses a regime of medication and electroshock to maintain control, McMurphy demands the right to watch baseball playoffs and takes the men outside the hospital grounds on a fishing trip. As the conflict escalates, the line between the crazy and the sane grows increasingly blurry.
Is it any good?
Milos Forman's 1975 film adaptation of the Ken Kesey novel is a classic for good reason. Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher turn in near-perfect performances. Supporting cast members, including Danny DeVito as Martini and Christopher Lloyd as Taber, create a band of institution residents who are warm despite evidence of their insanity. Forman's direction is dead-on, as he manages to capture the monotony of routine on the ward without allowing the film to drag.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about classics. Why do you think this film has lasting appeal? Does it seem dated to you in any way? How does it compare to the book?
What are the messages in this movie? Are there any role models? Who is crazy in the movie?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
I thought this was a very good movie. It's a must see for all teens and adults. It has much adult content and disturbing images.
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AGE
Cuckoo's Nest
One flew over the cuckoo's nest is a great movie for family as long as your kids are above ten. Jack Nicholson gives a great performance as R.P. McMurphy. The movie will make you happy and it will make you sad. But all in all it's a great movie. 5/5
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AGE
Gotta say that I am pretty liberal but when I found out this film was usual viewing for high school kids, I was shocked. First of all, rated R is rated R and that is "under 17 not admitted without parent or guardian". I will not be there and I do not consider most teacher's in our high school guardian material. Our school system has no dress code, cell phone rules (kids text to facebook during class) or language policy. I don't need my kid being told that this movie and the language are perfectly acceptable. GREAT movie but NOT for high schools..period.
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AGE
Not for under 18.
Interesting that the official review counts statuory rape of a 15 yo as a "petty" crime. In my book it is child abuse, and I'm pretty sure most parents would agree. The main character both admits to and justifies this act, and the story line is written to make this child abuse petty and excusible as long as the adult involved is cool. Along with over 25 f-words, most of them used in a sexual context, in my book this movie is inappropriate for all minors and totally inapproriate in an educational setting.
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AGE
Wonderful movie
This movie is great. I like all the main characters except the nurse. The only two things that I don't like about this film is the suicide and the smothering.
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AGE
Great movie, suitable for 12+
Excellent film, one of the best of all time. Does not deserve its 16+ rating, although most kids won't appreciate something like this anyway. Any film fans aged 12 or over should be fine.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 2, 2009
AGE
DIVINE
EXCELLENT. If there were a 6 star rating, thats what this movie would be.
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| Studio: | Warner Home Video |
| Director: | Milos Forman |
| Cast: | Danny DeVito, Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 128 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 23, 1975 |
| DVD release date: | September 19, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | Violence and Language |
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