#midnight cowboy 1969

[saveferris]

like that book cover🤯

[evilfranzkafka]

what are we some kinda midnight cowboys?

[hansatorium]

Hey, I’m sittin ´ere!

[oscarupsets]

At the time of its release, Midnight Cowboy was rated X (later reclassified as R) with 31 year old Dustin Hoffman playing a dying man, just two years after his portrayal of a college graduate. A bit jarring to watch back to back. It also stars Mr. Sir himself, Jon Voight.

The National Society of Film Critics had very mixed reviews on Midnight Cowboy. Collectively, they seemed to praise both Hoffman and Voight, but reject the overall premise and direction.

I'm still not sure about it. I enjoyed watching it - to an extent - but looking back I don't consider it to have a cohesive enough storyline to illicit any sort of strong emotion. Do I really feel anything for these two? It's nice to look at, and the acting is as good as they say, but that's about it. The critics were harsh about it, so I won't be. Some people really enjoy it!

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid also boasted a strong cast not only from dynamic duo Robert Redford and Paul Newman, but also from former The Graduate star Katharine Ross.

While this one is listed as a drama/western, I also can't help but consider this one to be a comedy. It's much lighter than Midnight Cowboy, and it's not dripping with plot.

The score is nice, which is helpful when there's an entire montage of 1890s style photography of the cast and scenes with no dialogue. The quality is high enough that it's enjoyable just watching the outdoor scenes and the horses ride around.

I could not get an original review for this one, but I was able to pull some quotes on its future success in a book about 1960s film.

With two wins for its music, Butch Cassidy beat out Midnight Cowboy by one Oscar, becoming the most decorated film of the night. Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight were up against Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole for Best Actor, all losing to John Wayne. Both films were awarded heavily at the BAFTAs, as Midnight Cowboy fell under the 23rd ceremony and Butch Cassidy the 24th. They both also took home a Grammy and a WGA award. Unofficial Review: Midnight Cowboy was an interesting choice by the Academy. Coming off Oliver! the year prior, I'm curious why Midnight Cowboy was heavily on their minds. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid seems a better choice, and I enjoyed it more.

[telephonicsonnyboy]

HELP I READ THIS AS “UNDER 6 FT” AND ALL I COULD THINK WAS “well yeah Dustin Hoffman was pretty short…”

[schlock-luster-video]

On July 18, 1969, Midnight Cowboy debuted in West Germany.

[undergroundrockpress]

[bestperformances]

Sylvia Miles as Cass /  Midnight Cowboy   (1969)

Academy Award Nominated as Best Supporting Actress

[mr-paxton]

MIDNIGHT COWBOY

[pop-art-sixties-seventies]

Dustin Hoffman & Jon Voight dans Midnight Cowboy, 1969.

[2othcentury]

Midnight Cowboy (1969) 

[saveferris]

lil fellers i drew for a custom dvd menu im makin

[soupy-sez]

Midnight Cowboy (1969)

[prodigalhound]

go make weird pervy homoerotic art. Go boy. Be free.

[bijouxcarys]

My Top 5 Dustin Hoffman Movies

(In no particular order)

Midnight Cowboy (1969)

Set in New York, a country boy moves to the city in pursuit of success. Upon learning it’s much harder than it looks, he realises he must sell his body to support himself and his new “handicapped,” TB-ridden friend.

Midnight Cowboy is a touching one. It received an X rating upon its release due to the “connotations of homosexual behaviour” between the two main characters. The beautiful thing about this movie is the ambiguity of that very thing. It is a love story. Platonic and romantic. It’s the audience’s perception.

Dustin was nominated for best actor at the 1970 Oscars, but lost it to John Wayne for True Grit. Snubbed.

Rain Man (1988)

Upon learning his recently deceased father had left $3 million to a mysterious beneficiary, Charlie Babbitt pays the beneficiary a visit, only to find that it’s his long lost older brother, the autistic Raymond.

I know this is considered a bad representation of autism, but as an autistic person, I have no problem with this movie. It’s a representation of autism in one individual, whether you like it or not. Considering its release year, it’s a large step. And Dustin nailed it.

Unlike many, I don’t see this movie as using the autistic character to make the neurotypical look better, or “improve” as a person. To me, this is a heartwarming story of a man bonding with his brother, who he hasn’t seen since the age of 4. Does he grow as a person? Possibly. But does it also shed a light on the existence of neurodivergence in someone other than a child? Absolutely.

Dustin won best actor at the 1989 Oscars for this performance, and rightly so.

Kramer vs Kramer (1979)

When his wife leaves him out of the blue to raise their 5-year-old son alone, Ted Kramer learns to balance his career with being a single parent. Until his ex comes back and files for custody.

This is a truly beautiful movie, despite the female lead being one of my least favourite actresses of all time. I adore the nuanced portrayal of single parenthood and the hardships single fathers of the 70s faced when raising their children. The development of the relationship between Ted and his son is very intricately documented through immersive performances from both parties.

Dustin had practice runs with over 70 kids to find the right fit; he worked on realism and wanted the bond to be as strong as possible.

My favourite quote from this movie is when Ted is on the stand: “Where in the law does it state that a woman is a better parent by virtue of her sex?”

Dustin won best actor in 1980 for this role.

Straight Time (1978)

When Max is released from prison after 5 years, he has to learn to adapt to the real world under the supervision of a corrupt parole officer and the knowledge that crime is what he does best.

This is a more obscure Hoffman movie that deserves a lot more credit. It’s a great deep dive into the life of ex-cons and the struggle of reintegration into society. It’s a very real depiction of the human condition, and the repercussions of being pushed over the edge.

It’s a tense movie, immersive, and offers a lot of opportunities for introspection in an otherwise distant context.

The Graduate (1967)

Benjamin, a naive college graduate, enters a scandalous affair with his parents’ married friend, Mrs. Robinson. Along the way, he finds feelings for her daughter, Elaine.

A subject of a ton of references and spoofs. I adore this movie for more than its iconic moments. It’s a masterpiece of an era laden with disillusionment, uncertainty about governing bodies and the rebellion sparking in the youth movement.

Ben and Elaine represent the generation that seek for a revolution, a new way of life. To break free from the cookie-cutter mentality of American domestic life. A complete rejection of the nuclear family ideals. The confusion that leads to ill decision-making and heartbreak.

The ending scene is ominous, open, and has no real finalisation. The perfect depiction of the unsure direction in which life as they know it will take.

This was Dustin’s breakthrough role, at the age of 30, after being in the New York theatre scene for a decade.

[criterion-poll]