Written by: Kevin Berge
Nurse Mildred Ratched is getting the Sarah Paulson reboot, uniquely striking though slightly unsettling. (Image Courtesy of: npr.org)
Quick Take: Ratched does not add much to the source material, too loud, bloody, and insincere to be interesting. The characters are too cartoonish for the solid performances by the lead cast to land fully.
***This review will not contain spoilers beyond the basic set-up of Ratched. This introduction review is set up for prospective readers to get a sense for the series.***
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was one of the greatest American novels of the 60s followed by the classic film that defined the career of Jack Nicholson and introduce some of the greats.
It is Hollywood's tendency to never let a good concept die, so it was inevitable something would come back around for the concept. Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story) decided instead of creating a straight-up adaptation, he would develop a prequel.
Ratched stars Sarah Paulson (12 Years a Slave) as Nurse Mildred Ratched before everything, finding her way into the role as a nurse at the unconventional Lucia State Hospital. The hospital is under the watch of Dr. Richard Hanover (Jon Jon Briones) as well as head nurse Betsy Bucket (Judy Davis).
Others that Nurse Ratched works with include the murderous mental patient Edmund Tolleson (Finn Wittrock), Governor Willburn (Vincent D'Onofrio), the governor's assist Gwendolyn Briggs (Cynthia Nixon), the hospital orderly Huck Finnigan (Charlie Carver), a PI Charles Wainwright (Corey Stoll), and a dangerous wealthy heiress Lenore Osgood (Sharon Stone).
This cast of characters define the journey of Nurse Ratched, who manipulates everyone around her to set herself up for success. However, she also deals with serious emotional and mental stress as she must find out who she truly is.
It is hard to quite tell who Ratched really is throughout this story, but Sarah Paulson certainly gives this role her all. She fits well as the unnerving and enigmatic nurse. She brings her all to the series as do many working with her, but they are all let down by this series' characterization.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was one of the greatest American novels of the 60s followed by the classic film that defined the career of Jack Nicholson and introduce some of the greats.
It is Hollywood's tendency to never let a good concept die, so it was inevitable something would come back around for the concept. Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story) decided instead of creating a straight-up adaptation, he would develop a prequel.
Ratched stars Sarah Paulson (12 Years a Slave) as Nurse Mildred Ratched before everything, finding her way into the role as a nurse at the unconventional Lucia State Hospital. The hospital is under the watch of Dr. Richard Hanover (Jon Jon Briones) as well as head nurse Betsy Bucket (Judy Davis).
Others that Nurse Ratched works with include the murderous mental patient Edmund Tolleson (Finn Wittrock), Governor Willburn (Vincent D'Onofrio), the governor's assist Gwendolyn Briggs (Cynthia Nixon), the hospital orderly Huck Finnigan (Charlie Carver), a PI Charles Wainwright (Corey Stoll), and a dangerous wealthy heiress Lenore Osgood (Sharon Stone).
This cast of characters define the journey of Nurse Ratched, who manipulates everyone around her to set herself up for success. However, she also deals with serious emotional and mental stress as she must find out who she truly is.
It is hard to quite tell who Ratched really is throughout this story, but Sarah Paulson certainly gives this role her all. She fits well as the unnerving and enigmatic nurse. She brings her all to the series as do many working with her, but they are all let down by this series' characterization.
That Edmund Tolleson, what a dreamboat mass murderer. (Image Courtesy of: bustle.com)
These characters do not feel right. They are intensely cartoonish without the main focus of the series going over the top. Even Ratched herself goes from clearly established as a manipulator to losing control of every situation.
The main storytelling hook of the show is its varying perspectives. The show has flashbacks of past events that change based on context and the speaker. It is not always clear what is actually true, but that is the intention. It works for the show.
The show is engrossing in its own way. It is easy binge material, but it does not linger well. The show wants you hooked in to see what will come next, even though the answers are less satisfying than the potential teases.
Once this show hits its expected halfway ramp-up, it actually loses appeal. The twists feel like they take too much away from the original concept. The ending of the season completely changes how this show looks to be going forward.
This is a violent mess with sudden shifts in mood and style. It uses odd color tints to scenes to show emotions when it is completely unnecessary. Nothing about the characters is sincere or investing.
Ratched uses its foundations poorly. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is about the way we gain and lose control in terrible situations. The series has no idea what the book or movie was about. Nurse Ratched barely comes off like the same character by the end of the season.
While the show is easy to watch, it just sits poorly. The foundations should lead to something better. Instead, it is too over the top with too much loud emotion and not enough quiet. The climax especially lets down the show beyond all of its potential.
The main storytelling hook of the show is its varying perspectives. The show has flashbacks of past events that change based on context and the speaker. It is not always clear what is actually true, but that is the intention. It works for the show.
The show is engrossing in its own way. It is easy binge material, but it does not linger well. The show wants you hooked in to see what will come next, even though the answers are less satisfying than the potential teases.
Once this show hits its expected halfway ramp-up, it actually loses appeal. The twists feel like they take too much away from the original concept. The ending of the season completely changes how this show looks to be going forward.
This is a violent mess with sudden shifts in mood and style. It uses odd color tints to scenes to show emotions when it is completely unnecessary. Nothing about the characters is sincere or investing.
Ratched uses its foundations poorly. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is about the way we gain and lose control in terrible situations. The series has no idea what the book or movie was about. Nurse Ratched barely comes off like the same character by the end of the season.
While the show is easy to watch, it just sits poorly. The foundations should lead to something better. Instead, it is too over the top with too much loud emotion and not enough quiet. The climax especially lets down the show beyond all of its potential.
