Review of Midnight Cowboy (1969) by Joe C — 19 Jan 2015

Vietnam really did a number on the American psyche. Our little X-rated masterpiece from John Schlesinger epic bromance sees the American dream of cowboy hustler Joe Buck become a decrepit, hallucinogenic neon-tinged nightmare.

Buck heads to NYC planning to live off rich women as a well-to-do gigolo after packing in his job at a Texas diner. Things don't go as well as planned and before long he's forced to shack up with shrewish bum Ratso, and the two forge a friendship out of desperation.

Delving into the pathless, drug-fueled underbelly of America, certainly spoke to an audience then disillusioned with the pointless efforts their peace-and-love movement had in Vietnam. Midnight Cowboy dubiously shares a parental rating with such classics as Deep Throat and Debbie Does Dallas, while also toting Oscars for best picture, director and screenplay.

Bleak and depressing, but also incredibly acted and brilliantly scored, Midnight Cowboy is one of those rare films which marries controversy with quality.