One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Directed by: Milos Forman

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, and Danny DeVito

Mills Forman's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is one of the most celebrated movies in all of film history.  R.P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) finds himself facing jail time for statutory rape.  To escape the prison sentence, he convinces his guards that he needs psychiatric treatment and is subsequently admitted to a mental institution.  Being the only sane patient in this mental institution, McMurphy does the natural thing and rebels.  He just didn't count on having Nurse Ratchet (Louise Fletcher) standing in his way.

Though full of social commentary on everyday life in society, Forman's film is much more than that.  It's a phenomenal display of acting prowess.  If Jack Nicholson is remembered for any film, it would be for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.  He shows the broad range of his acting abilities.  This is Nicholson at his absolute best.