Let me begin by saying Jack Nicholson
kills it as Randle McMurphy! Although Jack Nicholson did a superb job
of making us fall in love with his character no matter what he did, credit is
really due to cinematographer Haskell Wexler. The lighting throughout
the whole movie as well the lack of camera movement played a major role in the ambiance
you feel as you watch everyone in their day to day actions.
What
is it about McMurphy that makes you feel for him and agree with his every action
therefore hopelessly appreciate him? Well to begin with we as an audience get a
sense of the dreary, prison like setting the institution is with its creamy
white walls, uniforms, barred window, barbed fences and to mention overcast
weather whenever we’re outside. The factors that I just mentioned are all
amplified with the brilliant manipulation of lighting courtesy of Wexler. The harsh fluorescent lights mixed in with
the dull creamy white lighting throughout the movie can’t help but make you
feel zombie like, suppressed and queasy at the same time. The strict pattern
everyone seems to follow only solidify these feelings. I also found it extremely
interesting to learn that the camera barley moves (Writing Pro)! Everyone is
always moving within the camera’s frame. McMurphy’s jolly walk and constant observation
of his surroundings is a blessing to see! He brings in life to this dull,
uneasy setting and you temporarily overlook the surrounding and focus on his dialogue
or those of the people around him. This change in setting and character allows
you as an audience ads well as the patients to see the false dependency plus veiled
dictatorship in the institution Nurse Ratched has created for everyone. The brilliance
in the script also shines through McMurphy’s dialoge throughout the movie with
his infamous one liners like “I'm a goddamn marvel of modern science” or “Get
out of my way son, you're usin' my oxygen.” After bringing so much life and excitement to
these fellow patients it’s only a matter of time before it all spirals out of control
(party night with all the patients) and harsh penalties are dealt out.
As
an audience we know that after pulling his last stunt with the party and
attacking nurse Ratchetd, McMurphy is in for some trouble but the consequences
that follow are still a shocker. We are lead to believe the he just might come
walking through the door again with a stunt like he did before but instead we are hit with a low blow and left with a
heart wrenching scene with Chief. Lighting is fundamental in showing what’s happened
to this rebellious leader as Chief embraces McMuprhy . The shadows cover McMuprhy’s
face but a warm light reveals the scars from his lobotomy before he his lovingly
put out of his misery.
No comments:
Post a Comment