Midnight Cowboy: Why This Gritty 1969 Tale Still Resonates

Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman in Midnight Cowboy

Midnight Cowboy,” a United Artists production from 1969, directed by John Schlesinger, is a film that grabs you and doesn’t let go. It’s not a comfortable watch, but it’s a powerful one, a raw portrait of loneliness and desperation in the big city. The story centers around Joe Buck, played by Jon Voight, a naive Texan who thinks he can make it big as a gigolo in New York City. His plans quickly go south, and he ends up forming a shaky bond with Ratso Rizzo, a con man played with unforgettable intensity by Dustin Hoffman.

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The film doesn’t shy away from the seedier side of 1960s New York. The streets are grimy, the apartments are cramped, and the people are often struggling. It’s in this environment that Joe and Ratso’s friendship develops. They are two lost souls who find a strange kind of comfort in each other’s company. Brenda Vaccaro plays Shirley, a party girl who briefly connects with Joe, showing a different type of loneliness amidst the city’s clamor. Sylvia Miles is equally impactful as Cass, an aging woman who Joe attempts to solicit. Ruth White plays Sally Buck, a character who appears in flashbacks as Joe’s grandmother.

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What makes “Midnight Cowboy” so compelling is its unflinching look at the human condition. It explores themes of alienation, the search for identity, and the ways in which people try to connect in a harsh world. The film is also notable for its groundbreaking style. Schlesinger uses visual language and editing to create an atmosphere that is both unsettling and strangely beautiful. The soundtrack, including the iconic song “Everybody’s Talkin’,” by Nilsson is also a perfect fit for the mood of the film. It isn’t an easy film, but it’s one that stays with you long after the credits roll. It’s a reminder of the importance of human connection, even when that connection is imperfect and born of desperation.

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“Midnight Cowboy” is a United Artists production.
Release Date: 1969
Director: John Schlesinger
Cast: Jon Voight, Dustin Hoffman, Brenda Vaccaro, Sylvia Miles, Ruth White

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.