Midnight Cowboy (1969)

People are voting emotionally.

Great Film overall

An action-packed slog

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The film that introduced to the world both Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight-although to be fair both had made films earlier and The Graduate is far more well-known- Midnight Cowboy is a well-made film about two hustlers trying to make it in the big apple. Well shot in a documentarist style so common in the late 60s Midnight cowboy is a great watch. 7/10 (Go watch it for the duo of Voight- Hoffman)

Midnight Cowboy is a film where the individual parts are better and stand apart from the film as a whole. The performances from Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman are so masterful they almost exist apart from the message or overall story of this film. The cowboy and ratso bring so many unique elements that there is so much going on apart from the films plot. It is almost as if these two great performers were underused and maybe a deeper message or messages could be delivered. On its own it's a decent film about the harsh realities of life in New York and the unlikely bonding of disparate characters who rely on each other for survival. While this great premise looked promising on paper the reality of it on the screen and the great performances made it bigger than what it was. It is as if Joe Buck and Ratso could take on a reality of their own that is independent from the films premise. The integrity and strength of these two characters could start a life of its own which cannot be contained by the films plot. I felt perhaps different direction and plot points could have done this film favors. We could have done without Joe Buck's flashbacks and had more screen time for the two. Perhaps the two could have undertaken a big scheme together that could have been driven by their unique chemistry as opposed to the thin pimp/cowboy escort premise.

It's easy to see why this film won so many awards, even with all of the controversy surrounding it's nudity and explicit images for the time. The camera work was done really well, and many different types of shots were used such as close ups, tracking, medium and medium- long, long, and high and low angle shots. There were several great, establishing shots of the city as well. Tilt shots were used often too. Aside from this, the non-diegetic soundtrack was very good even though there wasn't a whole lot of music in this film. Some interesting things I found while watching were the "montage" type shot of Joe Buck in bed with a woman. While they were in bed, the television in the room was fully displayed, and the channel was changing rapidly. Every once in a while the two in bed would be displayed as if they were on the TV as well. Another thing I enjoyed in this film was how close we could get to Buck's character. There were several shots of him imagining something happening, which helps us get into the mind of his character. Lastly, I liked the costume choice, and how Buck was wearing a cowboy outfit while in New York City, making him appear out of place. Overall, I really thought Hoffman and Voight did a tremendous job in this film, as they obviously won awards for their roles.

Midnight Cowboy? It's probably the saddest and greatest (of its kind) movie along the Diary of a Country Priest (Robert Bresson)(sorry about explanation for you moviebufs, just like myself). Even Jon Voight (as a person) was depressed or not very well doing at the time of filming. (truly sorry, it is just my opinion and what I can read from his eyes). It is a masterpiece. All the details. Even the lady and her (I guess her daughter) companion siting on street bench and drinking Cola. Or the elder man in bus, O'Daniel character etc. Simply everything. That definite loneliness even though people all around. That contrast scene where the bus was full of soldiers returning to their families, all happy and Joe Buck all by himself with futile and uncertain future, nobody to hug him welcome. Him and Ratso, they truly make me sad and miserable. I can go scene by scene and I can only confirm my opinion. I'm not a professional reviewer or a movie critique but I sure have a taste for a good piece of opera. Well, my dear friend in case you haven't seen this masterpiece, kindly don't hesitate and watch it. You will not regret.