ReaderKenka
Let's be realistic.
MamaGravity
good back-story, and good acting
Melanie Bouvet
The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.
Michelle Ridley
The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity
leethomas-11621
Stars magnificent in eliciting our sympathy.
Wished treatment of gay characters was more sympathetic and we saw more of New York's underbelly, besides Ratso's squat.
Some aspects of direction haven't aged well.
Joli M
I did not expect to get as attached to Rizo and Joe as i did. The movie takes you through the whole evolution of their friendship, and leaves on a hopeful note at the end. The redemption of Joe is very much tied to his bond with Rizo-and both end up in a better place than they were at the start of the movie; and probably their lives. This movie deserves all the praise I've heard about it. It's a much watch for writers or anyone who deals in characters. Dustin Hoffman; who plays Rizzo, is in a kind of role I never would have expected to see him play. But it's an impactful one, for sure. I actually really love the music they chose for this as well. The lyrics and pacing of the music really fit well into this world that has been depicted for us. Though keep in mind it is rated R for some content.
framptonhollis
Covering themes of friendship, sexuality, and poverty, "Midnight Cowboy" remains one of the most powerful films of all time. It tells the simple story of a kind hearted man with a traumatizing past who moves to New York in order to become a hustler. Over time, he befriends the sick, slimy, and impoverished Rico "Ratso" Rizzo as the two follow a path of homelessness and failure, but there is light at the end of the tunnel."Midnight Cowboy" covers many taboo subjects as it explores male prostitution and homosexuality, making it heavily controversial in its day (it was originally given an X rating), but today it is fairly tame compared to most modern R rated films. Still, this is a mature and adult film not only because of its often graphic content, but because of how damn heavy and complex its emotions are. The two leads are not necessarily good or bad guys, they are the type of people who you occasionally glance on the city street. Typical bums trying to make some cash. But, in "Midnight Cowboy" they become memorable and well developed characters; people that you can relate to and despise. They have moments of victory and moments of sorry, and you often find yourself unexpectedly rooting for this pair that would normally remain nothing but an extra in your everyday life, only receiving ridicule and brief mild sympathy.
jacobs-greenwood
The big deal about this film is the fact that it was the first X- rated movie to win Best Picture (BTW, it was re-rated R in 1971 without being reedited). Otherwise, it just doesn't hold up.Sylvia Miles 6-minute performance received a Best Supporting Actress nomination?! Though not a strong year for "Great Movies", I'd have voted for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) instead.Director John Schlesinger and the Adapted Screenplay also won Oscars. Stars Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight were nominated. Added to the National Film Registry in 1994. #36 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies list. "I'm walking here! I'm walking here!" is #27 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movie Quotes list.Voight is a cowboy from Texas who travels to New York City to try and make it as a hustler, "servicing" rich women. He is befriended by a lonely bum/con (Hoffman), who convinces Voight he needs an agent. They live together in an abandoned building, in squalor and filth.The only "jobs" Hoffman seems to be able to find for Voight are with men, though Voight does become acquainted with Miles and Brenda Vaccaro. Hoffman's character starts to deteriorate and Voight's character begins to care for him, meaning he'll have to forego his already nonexistent values.