| Product: |
Midnight Cowboy (DVD) |
| Date: |
02/06/02 (93 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Good acting, serious issues dealt with, A real sixties style to the direction
Disadvantages: not everyones cup of tea
My mum bought this film and has raved about it for ages, I finally got around to watching it and have to say it's pretty good.
I won't give too much away about the story, but here's a brief summary. Jon Voight (was he ever this young!!) plays Joe Buck, a good-looking 'cowboy' who goes to New York to earn some money as a gigolo. He finds it's not as easy as he thought it would be, and ends up living on the streets with his only friend, a greasy con man called Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman). They work together to get Joe work, and build a strong friendship, which is strengthened by Rizzo having a serious illness. I won't give anymore away, but I will say that it hasn't aged as a moving depiction of life in the gutter.
The film was made in 1969 and won oscars for best picture, best director (John Schlesinger), and best screenplay. It thouroughly deserves these accolades as it is an excellent film, which is distinctively American and the direction particularly reminded me of Easy Rider.
Hoffman and Voight are both excellent in their roles, particularly Hoffman who turns from a dislikeable figure to a person to be pitied. The script and direction contain real emotion, which make this a thoroughly moving experience. The theme of friendship is clear to see, and creates genuine laughter and sadness between the principle actors.
The film is concise and to the point with Sclesinger's directing illustrating the spaced out drug induced dreams of Joe. The film is a strong drama, and is not for the faint hearted, but moments of real humour, and timeless energy make this a classic must see film for all serious movie fans.
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