Rob Lowe on the ’emotional carnage’ of ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’

Known for his charismatic performances in film and TV, 80s heartthrob and “brat pack” member Rob Lowe first rose to fame with roles in iconic films such as The strangers and St. Elmo’s Fire. He then memorably played White House communications director Sam Seaborn in the hit TV series, The West Wingand cheerful city manager Chris Traeger on the NBC show Parks and Recreation – revealing his ease with both drama and comedy. Lowe is currently starring in the second season of the Netflix comedy Unstable and the Fox 9-1-1: Lone Star. He also hosts the game show The Floor in Fox.

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To his delight, Lowe reveals that when he was just 11 years old, there was a film that took him from the beginning. In fact, his obsession with it was such that he stuck a tape recorder in the theater. This film was the 1975 Oscar-winning classic One flew over the cuckoo’s nest. It became one of the things that most inspired Lowe to become an actor. Lowe praises the film’s emphasis on the power of the written word, structure, and direction — all while navigating the complexities and ugliness of human emotion.

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This segment has been edited and condensed for clarity.

What inspired me to become an actor, one of the things, was the film One flew over the cuckoo’s nest.

It came out in ’75, so I would have been 11. I saw it when it came out – seven times – and then I put a tape recorder in the theater to record it so I would always have it. If you haven’t seen it yet One flew over the cuckoo’s nestyou must. If you haven’t seen this in a while, you should, and I want you to see the scene where it all starts in group therapy.

It’s people sitting in a circle talking and it ends with absolute confusion, pandemonium and (and) people being taken out in straitjackets. No bombs, no guns, no superheroes. It ranges from people sitting around and talking to absolute emotional carnage that is fascinating.

It’s so heavy and disturbing. I mean, I’ve never seen anything like it. Of course, I was 11 years old. What did I have to compare it to? … It’s the kind of thing that makes you love the written word, that makes you love structure, direction (and) choices. If that doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what to tell you.…