Film Review: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

V for Vendetta & One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Comparison Questions

According to V, “A building is a symbol, as the act of destroying it. Symbols are given power by people. A symbol, in and of itself is powerless, but with enough people behind it, blowing up a building can change the world.” Give some of the symbols from the movie some power by discussing three of them.
Symbols played an important role in the film, V for Vendetta. One of the main symbols in the movie was the Carson Rose that V left on the victims of his attacks, and later in the movie we find out that Valerie Page used to grow them in her home, and that V has a shire of her photographs in his home. The color red of the rose may also symbolize violence & blood-which represent all the killings and blood shed in the movie, but the red can also symbolize love and passion, which is what we see at the very end with the relationship between Evey and V. Another symbol in the film, was the rain towards the end of the film, it symbolizes “rebirth,” of
the people, when they are trapped and told what to do, and what to believe in by the government. The rain shows how the people are starting to become independent. Lastly, another symbol from the film is the “V” that is – he was in cell V (roman numerals), and everywhere he went he left the letter “V” engraved, and he also went by the name “V”.
What is the main theme of the movie? How is it applicable to you or your real world?
One of the main themes that was reflected in the film was vengeance. "People should not be afraid of their government; the government should be afraid of their people." –V. In V for Vendetta, there is betrayal, treason, and a passion for what is right. V is taking on his own violent vendetta. In an unusual way, V tells his story to Evey. "The only verdict is vengeance.. Violence can be used for good." He wants to change the way people see their government, and put a stop to all the wrongs. In a way he ends up doing this but in a negative way. Evey understands him and understands why he is doing what he is doing. Together they possess a lot of passion.
Discuss at least three specific film techniques used in the development of the film. Describe one specific scene where each of these techniques are used, and discuss why they stand out to you as important or interesting.
One film technique that was used exceptionally well in the film was diegetic sound. In the beginning of the film when the music was blared through the town in the middle of the night before the building was blown up, is a great example of diegetic sound, where all the people started pouring out of their homes to see what was going on. It was important for the film to use this technique because it repeats itself at the end when V has already died and Evey pulls the lever, it really adds thrill for the audience. Another technique that was used very well in the film was the use of close-ups. In the film when they flash back on the kidnapping of Evey’s parents and she is under the bed, they close-up on her face to show how powerful her expression is, showing sadness and fear. It was important for the film to show Evey’s vulnerability. Lastly, another technique that was used in the film was Long shots, when they showed the long shots of the building in the beginning and at the end blowing up. It stood out to me because the details that it portrayed was very exhilarating for the audience, and it just showed you what people thought should have been done but no one had the guts to do it except for V.
Should people be able to take vigilante-type justice?
Do you believe that violence can be used for good or that violence is sometimes a necessity? As you formulate your argument, try to provide historical or hypothetical examples for your support.
I do believe that people should be able to take vigilante-type justice, because if they are doing it in all sincerity, and for the good of the people I saw there shouldn’t be anything stopping them, they are standing up for what they believe is best for themselves, and the rest of us. I believe that violence is sometimes a necessity, because some people don’t listen or respond to being nice and civilized and only learn when violence is involved.

Comparing V for Vendetta and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

How are these ideas of control, conformity, and obedience similar? How are the patients in One Flew similar to the citizen in V? How do the powers in each work use similar tactics to control
people?
The ideas of control, conformity, and obedience are similar because they both revolve around the so called “central system”, both films have that one person that everyone is afraid of, and they take charge but not in a demeaning way. They are sly about their control. The patients are similar to the citizens because they all are afraid of the higher power that they are confronted by. They both keep to themselves until one person changes the rules. They don’t express their true thoughts on what goes in the world around them. The powers of both Nurse Ratched and the Chancellor are similar in tactics because they both act upon silence; they feed off the fear of people they control.

Are they heroes, anti-heroes, and/or failures? Do you agree with the statement? Explain
I believe that both McMurphy and V are heroes, because they stood up for what they believe was correct, and they did it without worrying about what is going to happen to them in the near future, and unfortunately they both end up dying, but they died trying to help the people around them instead of saving themselves. I do very much agree with the statement because the man with the idea will pass on, and the idea may have been the best idea out there, and if they man passes away, that does not mean that the idea is no longer great, it means someone else has to step up to the plate and fulfill the idea. The idea itself will never grow old unless its has already been accomplished by someone else.

Talk about one important difference between these two sources.
One important difference in between these two film that I saw was that in V for Vendetta, there was a story behind why V was doing everything he was, he was trying to stick up for the people and ban against the government, but in One Flew there was no story as too why McMurphy was there, and he just pushed Nurse Ratched’s buttons for the hell of it. Although, they both shared the dream of relieving the patients/citizens of the power that takes a hold of them

Which of the films would you consider better?
I would honestly consider V for Vendetta to be better, the story line is much more exhilarating, and in the film they use a very wide variety of film technique that really draws the viewers attention to what is going on. They both similarly portray the same sticking up for my friend’s type of ordeal, but to me One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was too bland, and not very exciting to watch. The acting in V was exceptionally well, Natalie Portman carried her character as Every with so much poise, and she knew how to express the emotion that she had to constantly jump back and forth from. Although, Jack Nicholson also did an exceptionally good job playing the part in a mental facility.