JACK NICHOLSON WEEK
This week, we will be watching two of Jack Nicholson’s iconic performances: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest + As Good As It Gets.
Film Club is a way for actors to watch, discuss and dissect some of the industry’s best and most impactful films.
As Good As It Gets
When the bigoted, compulsive writer Melvin's gay neighbour is brutally assaulted, he is forced to take care of his dog. He falls in love with a waitress and the three form an unlikely friendship.
One Flew Over The Cuckoos’s Nest:
In order to escape the prison labour, McMurphy, a prisoner, fakes insanity and is shifted to the special ward for the mentally unstable. In this ward, he must rise up against a cruel nurse, Ratched.
In John’s Words
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and As Good As It Gets. Both are Jack Nicholson classics.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest ( dubbed as a “Dramady” ie Comedy-Drama) directed by Milos Forman in 1975 is considered to be one of the greatest films ever made. This film was the second ever to win the “Big Five” Academy Awards. Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay. Not until 1991 did this happen again, with Silence of the Lambs. Apart from the brilliance of Nicholson, Louise Fletcher’s, Nurse Ratched is considered one the most evil and scary screen characters. The film has amazing history. The rights ere bought by Kirk Douglas but he could never get it off the ground and he sold them to his Michael Douglas who after several hiccups made it happen.
As Good As It Gets curiously a romcom(Romantic Comedy) was made in 1997, 22 years after One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest.
Jack Nicholson is only one of six actors ever to have won 3 Academy awards and is the most nominated actor with a total of 12 nominations, a Grammy award and three BAFTA awards, 6 Golden Globes and the Cecil B DeMile Award at the 1999 Golden Globes.
These two films, in many ways, defines whom he is and as much as we might laud James Dean and Marlon Brando, in my opinion, Jack Nicholson stands above them. Watch these films and let’s have a great discussion about these great films and great performers.
