Comparison of Narratives in Double Indemnity and The Cuckoo's Nest

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

The film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, is a 70’s classic that won five major Oscars. McMurphy prefers to go to a mental hospital to escape a prison sentence. He is a criminal with a history of violence and aggression who arrives at the hospital and changes the lives of the patients. McMurphy thinks life will be easy for him, but the head nurse, Miss Ratched, has other plans for him. The film excels on acting, storytelling, and cinematography, and as a social protest movie that criticizes stereotypes and reveals the failures of mental health institutions. The characters, patients and hospital staff, tell the story of isolation, human fears, and human triumph. The movie is an adaptation of Ken Kesey’s novel, and it highlights several acting tools and character elements that make it a brilliant, timeless film.

Realism

The scenes in the movie and the characters' actions show the reality of events. In the opening scenes, doctors analyze McMurphy and fail to detect any hints of mental imbalance. Patients line up to receive their pills, but McMurphy later spits them out when the staff is not paying attention showing that he is different. The way the patients receive medication resembles a Catholic mass where one patient opens their mouth after getting to the front of the line, and a nurse places the pill on his tongue for him. The film set is in the mental institution in Oregon, USA. There is high and thick barbed wire fence securing the institution that depicts a prison-like asylum for people with a mental health condition. The emaciated figures of the patients add to the realism of the film by sucking the audience into a realm of mental illness.

Character Introduction

The opening scene captures the deadening atmosphere of the asylum where the characters spend their time. The soundtrack has no music, the cinematography is dull, and there is no spirit among the patients. The only thing close to liveliness is the artificial good mornings from nurses, sounds of footsteps and rattling of prescription tablets. The patients wear white gowns indicating the blankness of their minds and line up in small straight lines to receive their medication. They blend into the dullness of their environment like nonpersons in a forsaken place. Enter McMurphy, an outspoken, life-loving rebel donning jeans and a black leather jacket, a way to tell the audience that he is going to shake things up a little. He dances his way out of handcuffs to the amusement of the other patients. Over the next few weeks, McMurphy evolves into their hero who refuses to surrender to the system.

Emotional Life

Miss Ratched, nicknamed Big Nurse, is in charge of the mental correction facility. In the film, we see nine patients sitting in a semi-circle with the head nurse reviewing events of the previous day and discussing the actions that brought them into the facility. This conversation gives the audience a glimpse into their emotional life leading to a better understanding of their attitudes and tendencies. Harding contemplates on how problems between his wife and himself led him to the asylum. In one scene, Miss Ratched arrives in the morning to find everyone in a disaster. The interesting scenario is when she finds Billy locked in a room with a prostitute. The director evokes feelings when Billy comes out of the room full of energy and ecstasy, a rare occurrence in the hospital. Everyone applauds him as if he did a heroic act, but then Nurse Ratched looks at him with an intimidating look. She asks him to confess everything, but Billy timidly looks at McMurphy to gain confidence. The director focuses on Miss Ratched’s unemotional dry expression to create tension. She tells Billy that she will inform his mother of his actions and Billy’s smile immediately turns into anxiety and frustration. Nurse Ratched knows all the patients' dark secrets and uses them to her advantage.

Physical Character Work

Care and control of patients in mental institutions involve physical restraint. The hospital subjects McMurphy and other patients to electroconvulsive therapy while the patients are fully awake - sedation was not an option. This treatment crushes their spirits and is a great tool in showing the physical aptitude of the characters. Operatives pin down a patient when they break a rule and tie them down to a bed. McMurphy’s expression during the therapy treatment portrays agonizing pain at the hands of his handlers. The characters in the film are a great example of why the film is a classic. The attention to detail in their movement and conversation during their acts is brilliant. A Native American patient embraces McMurphy after a lobotomy session where McMurphy looks drained and weary, his spirit crushed.

Comparison of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest with Double Indemnity

The introduction of characters and elements in both films captures the attention of the audience. Cuckoo’s Nest dull atmosphere intrigues the audience with the introduction of the lively character that is McMurphy, increasing the suspense of how he will relate with other characters in the film. Double Indemnity introduces its storyline with the main character who kills for a woman and money but fails to get both. Double Indemnity uses a flashback and narrative to introduce Walter. On the other hand, Cuckoo’s Nest introduces Miss Ratched through imagery elements where she depicts herself as the mighty head nurse.

The choreography in both films aptly blends the characters, soundtracks and dialogues. In Cuckoo’s Nest, McMurphy offers the Chief some chewing gum, and in turn, he shows gratitude by thanking him. McMurphy’s face lights up since it is the first time the Chief speaks to anyone after a long time. The quiet grace of the moment shows the Chief recognizes what McMurphy does for the men. In Double Indemnity, actors fight by use of speedy cross talks to reveal their differing intentions.

Conclusion

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a powerful film that employs wonderful characters to pass its message. It tackles mental illness with care, respect and finesse. The acting tools and character elements such as realism, character introduction, emotional life, and physical character work contribute to the overall brilliance of the film. The movie is an emotional joyride that captivates the audience with constant suspense of the next scene. Cuckoo’s Nest and Double Indemnity are great films to highlight acting and actor elements. They may be old films, but they are still classics that are relevant in modern art and movie industries.