'68 v~ihign'Di~y~-' e~etdek~~zier2~rs~>Jald~y~t200 0 The Michigan DaiO- Weekend, etc 'ยง + etc From the Vault - Milos Forman v i 0" FLASHCARDS FOR THE SOCIALLY DYSFI Forman's early work "Nest" is worth going cuckoo over Laura Flyer Daily Arts Writer After watching Winona Ryder pout her way through the recent "Girl, Interrupted," it's difficult not to be reminded of a film of a drasti- cally similar setting made a quarter of a century ago. Director Milos Forman succeeded where James Mangold and many QNO OKI ~~FlI@ Mangold, who left all of Susana Keysen's fabulous introspection in the dust with "Girl, Interrupted." Forman constructed characters whose unique visions lend them- selves to a fascinating development on the screen. Each character isn't just a simple, wide-eyed hero who rises to every challenge without ever going astray- rather, they are com- plex and challenging, to themselves and the viewers. Forman's carefully-selected actors and talented cinematic abilities along~ with these multi-dimensional characters make his movies superb. From the immature yet vivacious genius of W. Amadeus Mozart in "Amadeus," to the tumultuous life of Larry Flynt in "The People vs. Larry Flynt," to most recently, the fascinat- ing story of Andy Kaufman in "Man on the Moon," Forman has continued to build his reputation to the highest peak. "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is one of Forman's earlier films, yet it is no less formidable. than the recent, better remembered biopics. Jack Nicholson gives a tremendously realistic portrayal of Randle Patrick McMurphy, who arrives at a mental institution due to his truant behavior on a prison work farm. Immediately, the film sets up the tension between the irrepressible McMurphy and Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), who is so wrapped up in sticking to routine and order and maintaining personal control over the ward that she over- looks the well-being of the pa- Very rarely in this column do I ever pass judgment or spout social com- mentary, but today I have a little piece of advice in the form of a simple phrase: Don't be that guy. I think that you all know to whom I'm referring. That guy comes in many different shapes, sizes and genders - (oh, trust me: That guy can most definitely be female), but the common Chris Kula trait which that guy always pos- Unsung sesses is the uncanny ability nn Arbor to make you roll your eyes and sigh in utter exas- peration. That guy seems to show up more often than I'd care to witness, always at the most inopportune of times. Granted, that guy often provides you with good anecdotes at his expense, but his shenanigans get quite tiresome after a short while. So, my humble advice for the day is to read on. enjoy and always remem- ber: Don't be that guy who wears the t-shirt of the band he's going to see in concert that night. Don't be that guy who repeated- lv pushes the "UP" button while wait- ing for the elevator, as if doing so will make the doors open any sooner. Don't be that guy who special orders his hamburger without any ketchup. Don't be that guy who says "Thanks" without really meaning it, like "Hey, could you guys not play your music so loud? Thanks." Don't be that guy who reminds the professor about collecting the homework just moments before class gets out. Don't be that guy who always needs to know "What was that?" when he hears a loud noise some- where. Don't be that guy who belittles his girlfriend and somehow makes her feel the guilt. Don't be that guy who waits until the absolute last second before merg- ing left when a lane closes. Don't be that guy who refers to five Bob Marley-listening freshmen smoking down in a dorm room as "partying." Don't be that guy who all too fre- quently mentions that he "played a lit- tle football back in high school." * Don't be that guy with scabes. Don't be that guy who flambov- antly proclaims for the whole world 'I'm so drunk right now!" Don't be that guy who says that, despite the gurgling cappuccino machines and chatty people surround- ing him, he "concentrates a lot better" at the local coffeeshop. Don't be that guy who walks so very slowly up the stairs, as if each agonizing step was bringing him a lit- tle bit closer to death. Don't be that guy who insists that you should start a band with him someday. Don't be that guy who's certain that "she's the only girl I'll ever love." Don't be that guy who never throws in for the pizza yet always seems to end up chomping on a slice or two. Don't be that guy wvho vehement- ly argues that John was the driving force in the group's success (pssst: It was Paul). That guy comes in many different shapes., sizes and ,genders (oh, trust me: That guy can most definitely be female). other directors attempting to recre- ate well-written novels did not - he transformed the power of a dramatic yet disturbing story by novelist Ken Kesev into visual form with remark- able skill. The resulting film, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," is as mov- ing as it is disturbing, as weighty as it is light, and as funny as it is tear- ful. But most importantly, it brought out every significant theme that was in the novel. Compare that to Don't be that guy who only smokes at bars and parties because "you know, it totally fits the atmos- phere." Don't be that guy James "Buddha" Edwards. Don't be that guy who gets so incredibly tormented when somebody uses e-mail to reply to the entire group. Don't be that guy who goes home with the girl who's clearly had too much to drink. Don't be that guy who asserts that he listens to "every kind of music except country." Don't be that guy who tells his mom to hold on because he has anoth- er call. Don't be that guy who has "just one more thing to bring we're done here." Don't be that guy "Freebird!" Don't be that guy Jimmy Buffett as his e-n ture file. Don't be that guy N appear scholarly by using "There's a certain sense this Sul for Lit( and re Bring May: weekena byFB Courtesy of Columbia Pictures Now one of film's most respected directors, Milos Forman chats up Woody Harrelson and Courtney Love during "People v. Larry Flynt." tients. These institutionalized people may be comfortable with their scheduled life, but they are also withheld from their freedom. I McMurphv perceives their cowardli- ness in not standing up for what they would otherwise want. Therefore, he provokes their insecurities. He also brings their lives more meaning. Mostly, he treats them not as psy- chopaths, but as normal human beings. Forman does likewise to create scenes that are purely heartwarming. One day, McMurphy kidnaps the patients from under the nurse's nose and takes them on a fishing trip (by stealing a boat). The pure joy ema- nating from the patients is reflected from their various personalities. Each character is unique in their own right. Chief Bromden (\Vill Sampson) is assumed to be deaf and dumb, but is deemed one "sly sono- fabitch" by McMurphy for covering it up. Billy Bibbit (Brad Dourif) is a sweet and quiet young man with a stutter, Charlie Cheswick (Sydney Lassick) has a lot of insecurities and thinks passionately yet rationally, and Martini (Danny DeVito) has even more instabilities than Cheswick, but is a fundamentally caring man. These are just to name a few, however. Forman somehow is able to subtly take viewers into the lives of 18 patients while focusing on just a few. Nicholson leaves no room for arbitrary choices in his portrayal of the McMurphy personality - he is right on the ball. In fact, nothing less prestigious can be said about the rest of the cast, who all make equal con- tributions to the sense of realism. and stick close to the specifically- constructed characters in Kesey's novel. Astonishingly, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" got its proper due in spades from the Academy Awards voters. Forman, Nicholson and Fletcher, as well as Bo Goldman and Lawrence Hauben's script and the film itself, all earned. Oscars in a sweep of the major categories. This unprecedented accomplishment has only been duplicated since by Jonathan Demmne's "The Silence of the Lambs. Above all, Forman should undoubtedly be recognized for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" in being among the very few artists who understand the intricacies of transforming the emotional impact and subtleties of a beloved novel into a near masterpiece of filmmak- ing. .. --- NVT Shawn C Great Big 40, Hot Clubc Fred Eagl A Matt Wati g ,Sponsored b) Parke-Davis Pttarmac - Research and Develo " . . ,Detroit Edison Foundas " # " : " ,Merchant of Vino T gkWhole Foods Mark Zingerman's Comninity of Bwuesses A UM Major Events/Division cbt So YOUR SPRING BREAK PACK AGE INCLUDS " * Round-trip oirfare 7 nights hotel accommodotions mound-trip oirport &i hotel transfers * Free welcome, beach & evening parties * Free admission to night clubs * Discounts on restaurants, water sports & side excursions Swi Spiosk -otnys 1#900.4247710ls * Packages available to Negril and Montego Bay " Professional on-site tour reps " Complete weekly activities program offering optional sunset cruise, booze cruise, togo party & more s "ree bonus party pock HA'd TYavel eYvices l"00.44k4049 HEY, ALL YOU CINEMA LOVERS. COME BACK TO WEEKEND, ETC. NEXT WEEK FOR THE SPRING MOVIE PREVIEW. Price is per person based on quad occupancy; from select departure cities. Other cities may qualify for reduction or require surcharge. US and Jamaica departure taxes (currently $65) and $12 handling charge additional. Rates increase $30 on 12/15199. Peak-week surcharges/off-week discounts may apply. Restrictions and cancellation penalties apply. Limited availability. Subject to change without notice. Call for full details on hotel selection and availability.