The Theme of Character

We all know movies have themes, right?

But have you considered that characters inside of movies can also have their own themes? Take, for instance, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975). The story takes place in a psychiatric facility. Jack Nicholson's character, McMurphy, represents freedom. Nurse Ratched symbolizes the repression experienced by the psychiatric patients.

This is beautifully illustrated in the scene where McMurphy wants to watch the ballgame on TV. In her classic dictatorial style, Nurse Ratched says no. No matter what argument he gives.

And there's nothing McMurphy can do about it.

Except there is. Staring at the blank screen of the TV, he suddenly gets an idea. McMurphy starts to make up a play-by-play for an imaginary ballgame. The other patients come in to see what the fuss is about. Gradually they pick up the spirit of the "game". Cheering. Yelling. Enjoying themselves as if they were really watching the ballgame on TV.

And there's nothing Nurse Ratched can really do about it.