Antiheroes 2

“One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest” and “Cool Hand Luke” are parallels of the same film; Luke and McMurphy are both anti-hero loners who refuse to accept authority and the establishment. The films have typical villains too; nurse Ratched and the bosses play these roles. Both of our anti-heroes end up leading and transforming the group of men who are outcast and different. At the end of both movies, Luke and McMurphy tragically sacrifice themselves in final act of defiance and fight against evil. Of the two movies, I liked “Cool Hand Luke” more because of its humorous quality.

Cool Hand Luke is the nickname given to Luke after bluffing his way into winning a poker game, even though he had a worthless hand. He tells the other prisoners that "Nothing can be a real cool hand." Luke is unique, we know this from the start because of the obscene charges he is arrested for, those being: "maliciously destroyin' municipal property while under the influence". During his journey, he faces many challenges, adventures and tests; Luke wins the respect of the other prisoners and in the end is idolized by them. The most memorable and humorous scene is when he ate 50 hard-boiled eggs in one hour (A scene that I will definitely remember for the rest of my life). This next to impossible task emphasizes the heroic qualities and vast potential that Luke possesses. In another case he is fighting another prisoner and is beaten to the ground many times but nonetheless, continues to stand up. In a way, Luke could be called the winner of this fight because of his perseverance and attitude; these two things are the most important parts of what makes a hero.

Throughout the movie, Luke escapes three times, each time he is tracked down and brought back and disciplined by prison guards using cruel and brutal methods. On the third attempt to escape, he is shot by an officer. The film ends with prisoners reminiscing over the awe of Luke’s legend at the prison and his infectious unbroken smile.

An anti-hero is a troubled individual with many faults; his heroic qualities are hidden below the surface. He is portrayed in a way the audience can be empathetic; this is often because anti-heroes walk among us, with the same strengths and weaknesses rather than on a glorified pedestal.