Review of Midnight Cowboy (1969) by Lanning : — 15 Feb 2011

This won Best Picture and Best Director for John Schlesinger in 1969. Interestingly, Both Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight were nominated for Best Actor. Hey, two out of five nomination slots ain't bad -- although I'm glad that doesn't happen often.

Unfortunately, they were up against John Wayne for his starring role in True Grit, and the rest, as they say, is history. Sylvia Miles as Cass was also nominated -- for Best Supporting Actress -- but Goldie Hawn took home the trophy for her work in Cactus Flower.

Much as I love Hawn, if you read my recent comment about Catherine Burns in Last Summer, you'll know that I think Burns should have come out on top. Was this THE best film of 1969? I don't know.

If I'd had a vote, I'd have to say . . . that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is quite a film; I can watch it over and over again. It's great entertainment. MIdnight Cowboy on the other hand is one tough watch to handle.

I really have to be in the right frame of mind to take the mental beating it hands out. Maybe that does make it better? Who knows . . .