Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Gee LP (A) on September 14, 2004 at 22:35:47

In Reply to: Midnight Cowboy posted by mishmashmusic on August 29, 2004 at 19:02:42:

Sorry that it has taken me so long to respond to your post. School, family life, etc. You made a couple of interesting comments about "Midnight Cowboy" and I would like to offer my opinion.

"Midnight Cowboy" was not ahead of its time in shock value and innovation. Ever since "The Mark" movies had (openly) used homosexuality as a theme. It was only new that mainstream Hollywood was making the picture about Joe Buck and Ratso. The "innovative" direction was heavily criticized at the time of the film's release. Notice when the director really has the material how "old fashioned" his direction becomes...especially on the bus to Florida. Audiences responded NOT to the depiction of the Warhol gang, or to the muddled flashbacks that Joe has, but to the friendship and, hell, tenderness between these two men. Real friendship is depicted so rarely in Hollywood that seeing it in this film was the most shocking and innovative thing about it. Hoffman's acting may be a notch "over the top", but IMHO it is one of his best performances...he really gets into the lame New Yorker. And you are right about Voight...an incredible performance! The ending may be sad, but note how Buck throws his "cowboy" outfit away and apparently is beginning a new life in a new skin.

The music's 'pert good too.

A great film, in spite of the elements that, as you earlier noted, seriously date it.