Just finished this movie. Thought it was okay, nothing special. I always cry and feel emotional at movies, but I didn’t feel any real attachments to any characters in this movie, so nothing made me sad, or feel much of anything really. The characters didn’t feel fleshed out, and even over 2+ hours, I never developed any sympathy for anyone. Especially not the protagonist, Mac. I also thought they didn’t do the Chiefs character justice, and I didn’t buy his evolution from being faking mute and no desire to leave, to suddenly talking and wanting to leave, all over the course of his 12 total lines.
Maybe an unpopular opinion, but imo it was just an okay movie, wouldn’t watch again, was kinda bored throughout. The ending wasn’t impactful on me. Thoughts on the movie?
It’s one of my favourite films. But if I were to look for a reason why, I wouldn’t have an answer for you. Because honestly I agree with most of what you say.
See to me, the movie is interesting in that neither the supposed protagonist (mac) or the antagonist (Ratched) are the main characters. Ratched has no character arc at all, and Mac’s is not what the audience thinks it is.
They are opposite forces of nature operating on the actual main character, Billy Bibbit.
Both Ratched and Mac are just symbols. Mac is obviously an agent of chaos, and Ratched is an agent of strict order.
Ratched was not a character. She was a cold unfeeling professional who was doing her job keeping order at the expense of empathy. If she had more empathy and had taken the time to get to know her patients better, she would have perhaps understood how her response to the various situations would lead to Bibbit’s ultimate circumstance. (I’m being vague here to avoid spoilers, obviously)
But that doesn’t make her a villain, however, since it’s still Mac, the agent of chaos, who created the situation for his own selfish reasons in the first place that eventually led down that path. But he (chaos) wasn’t evil either. If he had known where his introduction of chaos into Billy’s life would have lead, it’s unanswered whether he would have done things differently because the chief takes care of him before that can happen. It seems not, since he still blames Ratched in the aftermath rather than taking even a moment to look inward.
The chief’s character was just that of a “watcher”. His dialog would have been meaningless, since his role was simply to observe. He was, in effect, a third force…consciousness; watching to see who wins, chaos or order. But he more than anyone comes to understand that neither side is evil or good, it’s just how it’s applied. In the end, neither side on it’s own offers any answers, and so he’s just done with it and leaves.
The movie is really the Tragedy of Billy Bibbit. And it’s a lot more interesting from that perspective.
Perhaps this is due to your age? I find some classic old films quite boring and not worth the hype, but that’s because I was born long after they were filmed. The technology was much less polished and appealing compared to what was the norm during my formative years.
