One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

There's so much to say about this Oscar-sweeping early showcase of future stars (Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, Brad Dourif, et al), but, because it has probably already been said, I'll just be satisfied with recommending that you frame "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by looking at its context. Made in 1975 and set in 1963 (right after Ken Kesey's book came out), the story is not only sympathetic to victims of the old psychiatric institution, but is part of a larger framework of people bucking against the system. Jack Nicholson's McMurphy is no revolutionary--in fact, he's really just a conscientious ne'er-do-well--but he sees through the unfairness of the system, as embodied by the stuffy, obstinate Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher, unfortunately in her largest role to date), and refuses to be a sheep. It's in the triumph-of-the-human-spirit vein, but Milos Forman treats it just right; it ends on a hopeful note and never gets sappy or bombastic. It's a great film from a great time for films.