Midnight Cowboy - The Oscar Project Part XLII

The 1960’s are brought to an end by the only film to ever win the Academy Award with an X rating, “Midnight Cowboy.” Released in 1969 the film was actually given a rating of R first, but some psychologist thought that kids would be to easily influenced by it and that the film should be rated X. This rating was changed 2 years later in 1971 and is now a rated R film. So the notoriety of the film being rated X isn’t nearly as scandalous as one would believe. After watching the film there are plenty of rated R movies released in our time that would have to be rated XXX if compared to this movie. “Midnight Cowboy” tells the tale of Joe Buck as he moves to New York to become a hustler. He quickly learns that this won’t be easy and loses all of his money. Some of it is to Enrico Rizzo. Eventually while down on his luck Rizzo takes him in and the two of them help each other survive New York by stealing. Eventually they end up a strange party that takes on a very Andy Warhol vibe. Here Joe gets high and ends up booking his first client, who is also able to help him schedule another client. However at this point, Rizzo gets sick and wants Joe to take him to Miami where he has always dreamed of going. Unfortunately Rizzo does not make it and the movie ends with Joe holding his dead friend on the bus while they arrive in Miami. This is one of those movies were everything really clicked together. The movie actually felt dirty, like the characters, everything was very gritty and real. Both Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight put in great performances. However, I found the real star of the show to be the directing. The establishing shots that demonstrated where the characters where both physically and emotionally was extremely well done. In particular is the party in the middle of the movie, the portrayal of Joe experiencing something so different than what he is used to is just incredible. The only lacking part of the movie honestly was the plot. I didn’t feel any connection to these characters or want to see where they would end up. The movie never felt like it really went anywhere. I realize it was more about the emotions of the characters but the plot could have used some work and been a little tighter. Overall it’s a fine movie and if you are interested in some real good direction and character work, than this is the movie for you. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.