Vertigo & Cuckoo's Nest: Booklet Questions

Vertigo & Cuckoo's Nest: Booklet Questions

 How far can we apply Todorov’s model of classical narrative to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest? [see Vertigo handbook p. 17-19]

-      Equilibrium

 This can be applied to OFOTCN as the stable situation of McMurphy being admitted into the hospital is presented to the viewer

-      Disruption

-      Goals

 This is shown through McMurphy's goal to escape the asylum

-      Climax

 Shown through McMurphy's deteriorating mental health state after Nurse Ratched finds out what happened during the 'escape night' and sends McMurphy to be tortured. However this dosen't completely apply to Todorov's model as McMurphy's goal of escaping is not achieved but the climax shares some aspects of Todorov's model as the climax does occur through intense drama & crisis.

-      New Equilibrium

 This can't be applied too far as despite the Chief escape, McMurphy dies so his goal of leaving the hospital is ruined and his narrative his finished

·         Is there a clear protagonist and antagonist?

 There is; McMurphy is presented as the protagonist as he is the character that the audience roots for and Nurse Ratched is presented as the antagonist due to her manipulative nature with the patients.

·         How far does the film correspond to any of the New Hollywood features identified by Berliner or Schatz? Record examples and exceptions below:

examples

exceptions

Characters become plot functions; they're characteristics is what drives the film forward Prompts spectator responses that are more uncertain & discomforting than typical Hollywood cinema; the realism of events that occurred on the asylum makes audiences feel uneasy, especially the climax to the escape scene.  Strong emphasis on irresolution for McMurphy

The film-making isn't typical of Hollywood filmmakers that situate their film-making practices in between classical Hollywood & European/Asian art cinema as OFOTCN is way more inspired by the latter through the use of an unknown cast/crew & shooting on location However there is a resolution for Chief who manages to escape which shows that the narrative wasn't placing too much of a strong emphasis on irresolution There is narrative linearity as the film is depicting how McMurphy's mental state deteriorates through the events in the hospital so it is shown in order to present this downfall which differed from 1970 cinema that subverted narrative linearity.

Formal Devices

Like Vertigo, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest makes strong use of repetition and structural parallels which draw attention to its formal features and structure.

·         Can you identify any repeated scenes which help structure the narrative?

 - The group meetings adds layers of depth to the characters as their conversations & body language give the audience a deeper insight into their characteristics and feelings. This helps structure the narrative as these meetings set the path on how the atmosphere inside the asylum is created

·         Can you identify any scenes which function as a prolepsis (foreshadowing)to later scenes?

 - McMurphy's unsuccessful trying of lifting the water basin to escape shows how he will always be trapped there whereas Chief's successful lifting of the water basin leads to his escape

- When McMurphy returns after the first time he is sent away, he pretends that he is no longer functioning properly and the treatment had a significant affect on his characteristics. The 2nd time he returns, he isn't pretending anymore and is 'dead' inside.

·         For what reasons may Forman have decided to use the opening credits location and soundtrack as a mirror image of the ending?

-  This is shown to present the freedom that occurred in McMurphy's life before the asylum and Chief's life after escaping the asylum as they are on the outside (?)

The Ending

Watch the ending of the film (DVD 2:01:10 – 2:06)

Record your observations of Forman’s use of each micro technique in order to convey messages and values.

Mise-en-scene	Cinematography	Editing	Sound
Colour is used to present the juxtaposition of the asylum & the outside; majority of scene has a very bland colour scheme which makes the institution seem washed out but Chief's escape is surrounded by a blue sky & green nature which makes it clear that life outside the hospital is more vibrant & hopeful.	Dark-lit lighting throughout the scene conveys the dark conclusion of McMurphy's story but the film uses natural light when Chief escapes which conveys the relief of escape the asylum & that he has broken free from this regime. This presents the message that the asylum is a place of darkness. Characters presented through shadows & trapped behind 'bars'; conveys to the audience that they are literally behind bars in the institution & Chief's breaking of the window shows how he is no longer 'behind bars'	Slow pace in order to build the anticipation of Chief escaping which depicts the message of the importance of escaping the asylum. The long takes gives the audience time to taken in what has happened & that the Chief has finally achieved freedom.	The use of the music whist Chief escapes emphasises the freedom he is about to face now he has left the hospital. This juxtaposes with the lack of music during McMurphy's final moments which conveys the message that he is trapped by the hospital. The music also takes a long time to build up which adds to the drama & the meaning behind Chief's escape and how monumental this moment is.

-      What feelings are you left with at the end of the narrative? Do you agree with Berliner’s view that ‘1970s narratives place a strong emphasis on irresolution’?

 I agree with this some to some extent as there is irresolution to McMurphy's life and the films also doesn't resolve what will happen to Chief after he leaves the aslyum and the reaction of those still in the asylum to this chain of events. However there is some resolution as the Chief manages to escape and McMurphy's life has come full circle.

-      Compare the endings between One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Vertigo. Which ending, to you, seems to have more resolution and closure? Is this in keeping with the respective times in which they were made?

I'd say Cuckoo's Nest had more resolution and closure which doesn't keep in line with the respective times that they were made.